WEST Sussex and Gatwick-based chartered accountants, Carpenter Box, has appointed six new trainees.

They have joined the firm’s platinum accredited programme on the road to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants’ (ACCA) qualification.

Joshua Roberts joined following graduation from the University of Sussex.

Ruth Burrows from the University of Southampton and Jevan McCrae from the University of Chichester.

Jennifer Morton joined from Worthing College, Alaina Clarke from the University of Winchester and Katie Sanders from the Angmering School Sixth Form.

Carpenter Box practice director, Chris Coopey, welcomed the trainees on board, saying: "Training the next generation of accountants, tax and business advisers is a responsibility we take seriously.

"We have always invested heavily in emerging talent and our latest intake need look no further than our current managing partner for inspiration – Alan Edwards joined the firm as a trainee 23 years ago.

"We have always aimed to give our students the best possible start to their careers which has been underlined by our accreditation as a platinum employer, ACCA’s highest global standard of excellence."

The new trainees will undertake a comprehensive training programme working in the business services, tax services and assurance and advisory groups at Carpenter Box.

As well as on the job training, they will also be required to sit up to 14 exams over the next three to four years as they work towards their ACCA qualification.