The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) is to enrol a record 800-plus students this year, and expects to have requests from firms which would have taken more entrants had they been available.

"The underlying strength of the economy has ensured that demand for new trainees is at a record high," ICAI president Mr Timothy Quin told a meeting of chartered accountants in Cork yesterday. The ICAI has initiated a programme this year to help meet the demand for new accountants, which will allow school-leavers with more than 360 points, in certain subjects, to enter a training contract with a recognised training firm.