Company Bio

Legal Aid Ontario employees are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients.

As an integral partner in the Justice system, working at Legal Aid Ontario is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to help people who need it the most; to ensure each client receives the access to justice afforded to them under the law.

If you are looking for a new challenge in your already meaningful career with a team dedicated to justice, and innovation in a flexible and supportive work environment consider this opportunity below.

Primary function

Are you a curious problem-solver who enjoys analyzing data, challenging assumptions, and finding smarter ways to work? Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your business, finance, analytics, and strategic thinking skills to meaningful work that has a direct impact on access to justice in Ontario?

Legal Aid Ontario is seeking a highly motivated, intellectually curious, and adaptable Co-op Student to join our Finance team. This is an chance to work alongside experienced finance professionals, contribute to real business decisions, and gain exposure to financial planning, accounting, financial reporting, performance measurement, and strategic initiatives within a complex public-sector environment.

At LAO, Finance is more than accounting. Our team helps leaders make informed decisions by providing financial analysis, business insights, forecasting, performance measurement, and strategic advice that support the delivery of legal services to low-income Ontarians.

This is a full-time co-op opportunity (36.25 hours per week) in a collaborative, flexible, and supportive environment where students are encouraged to contribute ideas, ask questions, and take ownership of meaningful work.

Unlike many traditional finance co-op positions, this role combines financial analysis, strategy, performance measurement, data analytics, and business problem-solving, providing exposure to both operational and executive decision-making.

As a member of the Finance team, the Co-op Student will support a broad range of financial and business activities across Legal Aid Ontario, including financial planning and analysis, accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, performance measurement, financial operations, and process improvement.



The role provides an opportunity to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to real business challenges while contributing to informed decision-making, effective financial stewardship, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Key accountabilities

- Assist with budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and variance analysis.
- Support accounting processes, reconciliations, financial reviews, and month-end activities.
- Analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and key business insights.
- Learn and apply public-sector accounting, financial management, and internal control practices.
- Support the development of management reports, dashboards, presentations, and business cases.
- Conduct research and analysis to support strategic initiatives and decision-making.
- Contribute to process improvement, automation, and innovation projects across the Finance division.
- Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to analyze business challenges and develop practical solutions.
- Deliver high-quality work while demonstrating initiative, curiosity, adaptability, and sound judgment.

Required Skills & Experience

- Currently enrolled in a university or college program in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Pre-Law, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Analytics, or a related analytical field.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down complex issues, evaluate options, and develop practical solutions.
- Demonstrated research skills, including the ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
- Experience using Microsoft Excel for data analysis, financial modelling, or reporting.
- Familiarity with Power BI, SQL, data visualization, or other analytical tools is considered an asset.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills,



with the ability to present ideas and findings clearly.
- Self-motivated, intellectually curious, and adaptable, with a willingness to take initiative, challenge assumptions, and explore new approaches.
- Interest in public-sector finance, strategy, performance measurement, business transformation, or data analytics.

The ideal candidate is curious, ambitious, and an agile thinker who enjoys solving complex problems, working with data, and transforming analysis into actionable insights. You are comfortable challenging assumptions, learning new concepts, and contributing ideas in a collaborative team environment. This role is ideal for students interested in careers in finance, consulting, strategy, analytics, public policy, or executive leadership. You will gain exposure to financial planning, strategic decision support, performance measurement, and senior leadership decision-making while working on meaningful projects with real organizational impact. Through your contributions, you will help support LAO's mission of improving access to justice for low-income Ontarians.

Equity Statement

Building a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve while promoting a safe culture and work environment that dismantles systemic barriers, welcomes fresh perspectives and embraces differences as a priority is a core value at LAO. LAO encourages applicants from equity-seeking groups, including but not limited to individuals who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis, Black and racialized, as well as persons with disabilities, women and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

We recognize the value of equity, diversity and inclusion and are committed to addressing systemic barriers, and prioritizing, attracting and retaining diverse staff. All interested and eligible people will be considered, with due consideration to all protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Legal Aid Ontario values integrity, respect, responsiveness, excellence, independence, accountability, openness and consistency. Our recruitment process reflects our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process as well as during employment at LAO. Please direct any accommodation requests to our recruitment team.

📌 Finance Co-op Student (4 months) (Toronto)
🏢 Legal Aid Ontario
📍 Toronto