A previously means tested unemployment service, provided by the Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association (CABA), is to be opened up to all chartered accountants.

The Career Coaching programme will now provide advice and support to any accountant who is currently unemployed or is facing unemployment.

Natalie Worth, head of operations and finance at CABA, said: 'What we have found is that providing support and training as quickly as possible once a person becomes unemployed or is placed under threat of unemployment has a much more beneficial effect than waiting, so it makes sense to remove any barriers to entry to using the Career Coaching programme such as personal funding.'

More than 60 accountants have entered Career Coaching since its launch earlier this year. Two versions of the programme are available - a face to face service where a dedicated work coach develops a bespoke programme of support supplemented by access to a career advice line, learning events and online career guidance; and an online programme that includes a CV builder, interview simulator, career planner, aptitude tests, access to job vacancy databases and a telephone career coach.

Worth added: 'Almost every day, we receive more calls from unemployed chartered accountants who are looking for help and support and, with the general economic news remaining grim, there is no sign of this situation changing.

'Career Coaching is designed to provide people with effective tools that will enable them to significantly improve their attractiveness to employers. Hopefully, we will see a range of positive results in the coming months.'