Ernst & Young to target graduates - graduate jobs

Accountancy firm Ernst & Young is targeting graduates across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with the creation of more than 300 jobs.

The consultancy and accountancy firm will be recruiting employees in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Belfast.

The process will take place over the next 18 months as the business prepares for a growth in the economy.

According to the firm's managing partner in Ireland, Mike McKerr, new business opportunities are already on the rise.

"Although it has been a difficult few years for our profession, we are seeing new opportunities arise as businesses seek advice on cost reduction, growth and recovery from the financial crisis," he said.

Ernst & Young said half of the new employees would be graduates taken on next year. Other positions being offered include qualified accountants and senior executives in assurance and tax and key roles in fraud investigations and dispute services teams.

A total of 50 jobs will be created in the advisory practice in the next 18 months and the firm is also planning to take on another 50 staff in the same division after that.

Despite its primary focus on accountancy and consultancy, Ernst & Young said it is also looking for applications from graduates in engineering, IT, legal, business, accounting and finance.