Top 30 firm Cooper Parry was one of several accountancy practices to feature in The Sunday Times 'Best Companies to Work For' awards this year after breaking into the medium-sized company league table for the first time.

Having made it into the small business table the previous two years, Cooper Parry was ranked 33rd in the medium-sized chart for 2007 after it grew to more than 250 staff. The Midlands-based firm was just three places behind BDO Stoy Hayward, the only other firm to be ranked in that table.

Cooper Parry boss Jeremy Bowler said: 'Being listed for a third time high-lights our commitment to providing the best possible working environment for our people.'

All the Big Four featured in the top 10 for best large company. KPMG was ranked second after Goldman Sachs, while Ernst & Young, as the most improved firm, came fourth in the league. Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers were sixth and eighth respectively.

Although KPMG failed to repeat its success of last year when it took the top slot, this was the third year running it secured a top three spot.

Meanwhile Hemel Hempstead-based SJD Accountancy and Lincoln-based Wright Vigar were in the top 50 chart for smaller companies.