Employers have to apply to the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) to become an official ‘training provider’ and once granted are subject to Ofsted and SFA reviews, to ensure the standard of training remains high.

Maggie Stilwell, EY’s managing partner for talent at EY, UK and Ireland, said: ‘Gaining employer provider status helps us to deliver high quality apprenticeships for our people that are tailored to the needs of our business.

‘Apprenticeships provide an attractive alternative to university for students and, at the same time, an opportunity for employers to upskill their people and indeed the UK workforce.’

Successful applicants to EY’s business apprentice scheme will work towards an apprenticeship and a globally recognised accountancy qualification, on a structured programme that will offer on-the-job coaching and the opportunity to work with EY clients from day one. The full-time role will have a starting salary of up to £21,500 and the career path and experiences will be the same as for graduates.

Vacancies are available in cities across the UK, including Newcastle, Leeds, Cambridge, Reading, London and Bristol.

This month EY was awarded ‘Best School Leaver Programme’ at the TARGETJob awards, recognising the firm for removing barriers into the profession, offering a variety of possibilities for school leavers, and demonstrating fast-paced innovation with social media, valued by students.