Program Overview

Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding Program

The Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding program is designed to provide students with a theoretical and in-depth practical understanding of suretyship. Offered in affiliation with the Surety Association of Canada, the program examines surety bonds and the suretyship process.

Program Overview

• The program aims 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.
• The program is offered entirely online, giving students the flexibility to complete courses at their own pace.
• Experiential learning activities are included to provide students with real-world experience.
• Students will learn from best-in-class instructors and collaborate with peers through experiential learning activities.

Program Features

• Flexible online courses
• Experiential learning activities
• Stay up-to-date with emerging trends, practices, and theories
• Understand the basic principles of contract law as they apply to construction

What You'll Learn

• Gain an understanding about the surety industry, including past trends and current state
• Use the knowledge that you have obtained pertaining to the different types of surety bonds and their proper use
• Explain the process of surety underwriting and how it differs from insurance underwriting
• Use your learning of standard construction procedures (i.e., tenders, claims, etc.) and utilize your learnings when analyzing contract documents
• Gain an understanding of common law practices with regards to legal disputes
• Staying up-to-date on emerging trends, theories, and practices

Certificate in Associateship in Canadian Surety Bonding

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

Core Courses

• SAC 101: Principles of Suretyship
• SAC 102: Contract Surety
• SAC 103: Construction and Surety Law
• ACC 925: Introductory Financial Accounting

Elective Courses

• ACC 920: Effective Communication
• BUS 436: Business Law
• BUS 825: Business Foundations
• ACC 818: Economics
• HRM 821: Organizational Behaviour
• MKT 819: Introduction To Marketing
• ACC 928: Introductory Management Accounting
• ACC 926: Intermediate Financial Accounting I
• ACC 927: Intermediate Financial Accounting II
• ACC 929: Intermediate Management Accounting
• ACC 934: Advanced Financial Accounting
• ACC 930: Advanced Management Accounting
• ACC 933: Financial Management
• ACC 937: Taxation I
• RSK 713: Risk Management Principles & Practices
• RSK 714: Risk Assessment & Treatment
• RSK 715: Risk Financing
• BUS 850: Business Communications
• BUS 852: Business Strategy

Important Update

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. The McMaster Certificate will no longer be available after April 30, 2023. This change does not affect the A.C.S.B. Designation which is bestowed by the Surety Association of Canada.

Professional Association Partner

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. 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.