An accountancy has hired a record number of students and trainees after becoming one of three UK firms to offer new apprenticeships in the profession.

Kreston Reeves, which has offices in Canterbury, Chatham and Sandwich, has hired 32 people it hopes will be future accountants and financial advisers.

Each will study for a range of qualifications under the company’s new apprenticeship training programme.

The company is one of only three accountancies in the UK able to be named an apprenticeship employee training provider for its graduate and non-graduate programme.

There will be 15 students based in Kent offices, with another 11 in Sussex and six in the firm’s London office.

HR partner Richard Heasman said: “We are thrilled to welcome this record number of trainees to our firm, especially in such a competitive climate in which many firms struggle to attract and hire talent.

“The addition of such a large pool of fresh talent and perspectives makes the firm well equipped to continue to grow and develop, and provide the highest quality client service to its clients across the region.”

The company has been shortlisted for the graduate and non-graduate programme of the year at the British Accountancy Awards, due to be announced in October.