Big Four accountancy giant PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has announced its largest ever spring intake of graduates, in a move which may point to brighter times ahead in the jobs market.

The firm says 153 graduates will join the early intake training scheme, following an 88 per cent jump in the number of applications.

Accountancy recruitment numbers are up by 22 per cent at the firm, which claims to have created 20 new interns and full-time jobs per week during the recession.

Ian Powell, chairman and senior partner at PwC, said this year's recruitment strategy is not about maintaining numbers, but rather about "displaying ambition and growth in the market".

"Keeping our doors open to new talent and experience during the recession fuels our business growth strategy in the recovery," he said.

"The fact we have had to increase this year's spring intake speaks volumes for the return on investment for holding our nerve on graduate recruitment during the recession because we've attracted and retained the best people."

Last year, the Sunday Times named PwC as the number one graduate employer in the UK.