Professional Services in Ontario
Ontario24 lists lawyers and paralegals, accountants and bookkeepers, mortgage agents, immigration consultants, real estate agents and business consultants across Ontario and the GTA. Search by city and specialty, compare your options and contact them directly. Browsing is free and you do not need an account.
Check the licence before the price
Most professional services in Ontario are regulated, and every regulator keeps a public register you can search in a couple of minutes. This is the single most useful check you can make, and it is free.
| Service | Regulator in Ontario | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyers and paralegals | Law Society of Ontario | Current licence, and any disciplinary history, in the public directory |
| Accountants | CPA Ontario | The CPA designation is protected; verify it in the member directory |
| Mortgage agents and brokers | FSRA | Licence number and the brokerage they are licensed under |
| Immigration consultants | College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants | RCIC number in the public register — only RCICs and lawyers may represent you for a fee |
| Real estate agents | Real Estate Council of Ontario | Registration status and brokerage |
Business consultants, bookkeepers and marketing agencies are not licensed professions in Ontario. That is not a red flag in itself, but it does mean there is no regulator behind them and no complaints process beyond the courts — so references and a clear written contract matter more.
What to agree before you engage anyone
- Scope in writing: what is included, what is explicitly not, and what triggers extra cost.
- How you are billed — hourly, flat fee, or contingency — and what the estimated total is.
- Who actually does the work: the person you spoke to, or a junior in the office.
- What happens to your file and documents if you stop working together.
- For anything with a deadline — filings, closings, applications — the dates in writing.
Browse professional services in Ontario
Frequently asked questions
Can a paralegal do the same work as a lawyer in Ontario?
Not entirely. Ontario licenses paralegals for a defined scope — Small Claims Court, provincial offences, tribunals and some minor criminal matters. Family law, real estate transactions and serious criminal matters require a lawyer. Both are licensed by the Law Society of Ontario and both appear in its public directory.
Who is allowed to charge for immigration advice?
Only a lawyer, a Quebec notary, or an immigration consultant registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Anyone else charging a fee to represent you is operating outside the rules, and unregistered representatives are a persistent problem in this field.
Does Ontario24 check the professionals listed here?
No. Ontario24 is a classified directory — we help you find, compare and contact local businesses directly, and we do not vet them. Verify every licence with the relevant regulator yourself before paying anyone. Our safety tips explain what to check.