FOUR new trainees have started with York accountants as the firm invests in its future.

Townends Accountants LLP which employs 70 staff is continuing to grow its York office by welcoming Luke Martin, Louis McMaw, Will Johnson and Kristian Bell to the team.

They have all studied accountancy or were in the early stages of their careers with other firms before joining Townends.

Jayne Bryars, a partner, said: “An apprenticeship is a brilliant way of bringing people into the business, to gain experience and develop their skills.

"It also gives the trainees an opportunity to put into practice what they learn in the classroom. As a firm, it gives us a strong line of succession and ensures that the business continues to develop and move forward. We’re pleased to have a really talented group joining us, in addition to three more trainees in our Goole office."

Luke who decided he wanted to learn on the job as well as at college said: “Early into my time at high-school I knew I wanted to be involved in the accounting industry, which drove me to get the results I wanted and led me to continue my studies as an apprentice trainee accountant with Townends.

"I wanted to jump straight into a career in accounting and after doing a lot of research on Townends and accounting as a whole, I learned of the opportunity and was delighted to secure the apprentice position with Townends.

"I am constantly learning, every evening I go home knowing something I didn’t know at the start of the day. Out of everything I’ve learned so far, the most important has been about building a good work ethic and improving my knowledge of the accounting profession. Every day brings something new and exciting.”