Accountancy and financial advice firm Armstrong Watson has taken on a record number of trainees across its offices.

It has appointed 11 chartered accountancy trainees and 20 trainees studying AAT/ATT in Carlisle, Northallerton, Skipton, Leeds and Glasgow.

Its Carlisle offices have seen 14 trainees join.

The 31 budding chartered accountants and accounting trainees will join the accounting, audit and tax teams, and will receive hands-on experience alongside classroom study as they work towards their qualifications.

Paul Dickson, chief executive and managing partner, said: “We have a long history of growing our own talent.

“Those who join us will not only have the opportunity to become future business leaders, but as a top 30 UK firm, will work at the cutting edge of legislative and technical changes in accounting.

“We strongly believe our people are our business and we invest in ambitious individuals who are keen to launch their careers and take advantage of the development we offer.

“With 17 offices across the North of England and Scotland and 13 different service lines, there’s a huge range of scope for career direction and development available to those who choose to join us on this exciting journey.”

Armstrong Watson was named by the Association of Accounting Technicians as one of the top five accountancy businesses within the UK in which to kick start your accountancy career.

The firm has 33 partners and employs over 420 team members at its offices.