Finance favourites introduce latest recruits

Sep 24 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

TWO of the “big four” professional services firms have taken in their latest graduate recruits.

PricewaterhouseCoopers in Newcastle has appointed 27 new graduates, 19 of whom have joined from universities in the North East.

The majority of the firm’s graduates will study for the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA) qualification, and will work in the firm’s assurance, risk assurance services, public services and tax departments.

Paul Woolston, senior partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Newcastle, said: “PricewaterhouseCoopers believes in fostering and retaining the region’s graduates as well as supporting the local community, this will help to further strengthen our practice and our local expertise which in turn benefits ours clients.

“The firm was awarded Employer of the Year at this year’s North East Accountancy awards which is testament to our commitment to being a great place to work and providing the best opportunities for all our people. I’m delighted to welcome our new graduates to our Newcastle office and wish them all the best with their careers at the firm.”

Deloitte has seen a 22% increase in the number of students applying for graduate positions starting this year, and has 17 new recruits to its Newcastle office.

The graduates will begin their training at the firm’s Grey Street office, having joined after graduating from universities both within and outside the North East.

The next three years for the graduates will include financial training, as well as time spent at clients’ offices and Deloitte’s Newcastle office, where they will work on live client projects and study for chartered accountancy exams.

Paul Williamson, office senior partner at Deloitte in Newcastle, added: “It’s an exciting time for our graduates as they begin their corporate careers with Deloitte. We are confident that the new recruits will take full advantage of the training facilities on offer and build successful future careers with Deloitte.”

Deloitte was ranked second in 2007, for two years running, as the UK’s most sought-after graduate employer in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers.