It has never been a better time to be a young graduate pursuing a career in accountancy according to research released by the Association of Graduate Recruiters.

The AGR surveyed 235 of the UK's leading employers and found that graduate vacancies in accountancy and professional services were 22.5% up and that starting salaries were up by 2.9%.

'Organisations are still seeing the added value graduates can bring with vacancies rising significantly and salaries continuing to grow,' said Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR.