Armstrong Watson is celebrating five consecutive years of recognition as one of the UK’s leading apprenticeship employers.
The accountancy firm, which currently employs almost 200 trainees, has been named in The Sunday Times 2026 Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, ranking at number 51.
This marks a second year of inclusion in the Sunday Times list, ranking at 29 in 2025, after featuring for three years in the Department of Education’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.
During that time, Armstrong Watson rose from 64th in 2022 to 46th in 2023 and 37th in 2024, reinforcing its position as a business committed to developing future talent and upskilling its workforce.
Paul Dickson, Armstrong Watson’s CEO and managing partner, said: “We are proud to have been recognised once again as one of the UK’s leading apprenticeship employers.
“This continued recognition reflects the significant investment we make in our people, and our commitment to creating meaningful career opportunities through high-quality training and development.
“Apprenticeships play a vital role in our business, helping us to nurture talent from the outset and equip individuals with the skills, experience and confidence they need to succeed. We are incredibly proud of our trainees and the contribution they make across the firm.”
The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2026, compiled by High Fliers Research, celebrates outstanding apprenticeship employers from across the UK. Rankings are based on a range of factors, including the creation of new apprenticeships, diversity and inclusion, and successful completion rates.
Armstrong Watson takes on large cohorts of apprentices and graduates every year, and is currently recruiting for its 2026 intake of students with 35 AAT and ATT positions available, as well as 35 graduate roles.
Trainees who are based at the firm’s offices across the North of England and Scotland work towards qualifications in audit and assurance, accounting, tax, and payroll. Opportunities range from entry-level qualifications to graduate roles leading to Chartered ACA status, equivalent to a master’s degree.
All roles offer structured study support, practical experience with clients, and clear progression pathways into specialist areas across the business.
Charlotte Farrimond, 19, joined Armstrong Watson in September and is working towards her level 4 ATT qualification.
She said: “I enjoy the variety in what I am learning and I’ve found it really rewarding being able to apply what I am learning as I can see my hard work paying off immediately.
“The best thing about my apprenticeship with Armstrong Watson is how supportive everyone is. There’s always someone willing to help if you have a question. Alongside that, training on soft skills like communication has helped build my confidence at work, especially since this is my first full-time role.”
For more information about Armstrong Watson’s apprenticeship programmes, visit www.armstrongwatson.co.uk/careers.
