Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding Program

Please note that the Surety Association of Canada has decided to transition the program from McMaster Continuing Education and will offer the program independent of the University.

What this means

Every effort will be made to ensure that students who are currently enrolled in the program through McMaster Continuing Education can complete their courses and receive the McMaster Certificate, should they wish to do so.
Those interested in receiving McMaster University’s Certificate in Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding (A.C.S.B.) will have 12 months from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023 to complete all outstanding required and elective courses.

Outstanding required courses (SAC 101 Principles of Suretyship, SAC 102 Contract Surety, and SAC 103 Construction & Surety Law), except for ACC 925 Introductory Financial Accounting, will be offered directly by the Surety Association of Canada. ACC 925 Introductory Financial Accounting and outstanding elective courses will be offered directly by McMaster Continuing Education.

The McMaster Certificate will no longer be available after April 30, 2023.

Please note that this change does not affect the A.C.S.B. Designation which is bestowed by the Surety Association of Canada.

Important dates and notes

  • As of May 1, 2022, students who wish to pursue their A.C.S.B. designation may continue taking elective courses, as well as ACC 925 Introductory Financial Accounting through McMaster Continuing Education.
  • Students wishing to complete the program through McMaster and receive a McMaster Certificate (not the A.C.S.B. designation, which will continue to be offered through the Surety Association of Canada) will have until April 30, 2023 (12 months from closure) to take any outstanding courses.

Bonding for risk management

Offered in affiliation with the Surety Association of Canada, the Certificate in Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding examines surety bonds and the suretyship process and was designed as a learning vehicle for students who plan on embarking on a career in the surety industry. The program aims to provide students with a theoretical and in-depth practical understanding of suretyship.

The Certificate in Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding is designed to provide students with an extensive learning experience related to surety bonds (commercial and contract), the suretyship process, trends that may affect the surety industry, as well as the basic principles of contract law as they apply to construction.

  • Offered entirely online, giving you the flexibility to complete courses at your own pace
  • Experiential learning activities
  • Earn a Certificate in Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding

Information Box Group

Program highlights Learn More

  • Gain real-world experience
  • Learn from best-in-class instructors
  • Collaborate with peers through experiential learning activities
  • Open enrolment program

What you'll learn Learn More

  • Surety industry and surety bonds
  • Standard construction procedures
  • Suretyship process and core competencies

Information Box Group

Certificate in Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding Learn More

To be eligible for the Certificate in Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding, students must successfully complete all four core courses and any 2 electives listed below.

Core Courses (complete all 4)

Please contact https://www.suretycanada.com/ to register for the following courses:  SAC 101, SAC 102 and SAC 103. 

3.0 UNITS

SAC 101
Principles of Suretyship

(Currently Not Available)

3.0 UNITS

SAC 102
Contract Surety

(Currently Not Available)

3.0 UNITS

SAC 103
Construction and Surety Law

(Currently Not Available)

Elective Courses (complete any 2)

3.0 UNITS

ACC 920
Effective Communication

(Currently Not Available)

3.0 UNITS

BUS 436
Business Law

$766.74

3.0 UNITS

ACC 818
Economics

$773.83

3.0 UNITS

ACC 937
Taxation I

$773.83

3.0 UNITS

RSK 715
Risk Financing

$810.01

3.0 UNITS

BUS 852
Business Strategy

$766.74

Learn more about the Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding program

The Surety Association of Canada (SAC) is a national trade advocacy association that represents the interests of the surety industry across Canada. Its members consist of primary surety firms, surety reinsurers, surety/insurance brokers, and other organizations that provide related and complementary services to the surety industry.

Since its formation in 1992, SAC has become a trusted resource for construction purchasers, design professionals, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders in construction and business communities. SAC is incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.

Upon successful completion of the six courses and registration with the Surety Association of Canada, participants will be awarded McMaster University’s Certificate in Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding. In addition, each graduate will receive an A.C.S.B. Designation Certificate from the Surety Association of Canada.

For more information, please visit: Surety Association of Canada