The usage of the boundary integral equation method for nonhomogeneous problems and the combination of this method with the finite element method is discussed. A formulation of the finite element method and the conversion of the direct boundary integral equations into a stiffness type of equation is reviewed for potential problems. The problems associated with corner flux discontinuities, infinite elements, and symmetrization of the stiffness matrix are discussed. An algorithm for the construction of the stiffness matrices for the more general multi-degree of freedom problem is given along with some examples.