Among the new starters are 17 AAT students and two ATT students who will be working towards their apprenticeship qualifications in accounting and tax compliance. There are also 28 ACA graduates who will work towards becoming Chartered Accountants.

Additionally, the firm has recruited two ACCA students in restructuring and insolvency as well as two payroll apprentices.

Based at the firm’s offices across the north of England and Scotland, the trainees and graduates will receive hands-on experience throughout their studies as they work towards their qualifications.

It comes after Armstrong Watson was named one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for the second year in a row by the Department for Education, ranking at position 46 up from 64 in 2022.

Richard Andrew, partner and head of accounting, said: “We continue to invest in our training programme every year and develop talented accountants of the future.

“I’m so proud of the training, support and development our students receive from our dedicated training manager Karen Blaylock and really believe our programme, and the experience our trainees receive, is unrivalled in the sector.”

CEO and managing partner Paul Dickson said: “Our people are our business as without them we would be unable to provide solutions for our clients.

“Our training programme provides us with an incredible pool of talent, many of which go on to have successful careers within the business.”

Armstrong Watson is now on the lookout for its 2024 intake of ACA trainee Chartered Accountants, with positions available at six of the firm’s offices across the north of England and Scotland.

In addition, the firm’s programme for school leavers seeking high-end apprenticeships in accounting will be opening soon across all locations.