Students contemplating a career in tax should note that only future jet-setters need apply. That was the message from yesterday's launch of a new TaxWorking Website by a coalition of professional bodies, top accountancy firms and government departments.
The new careers initiative has been developed by the likes of the CIOT, ACCA, ICAEW, Ernst & Young, PwC, Inland Revenue, Customs & Excise to introduce students to the idea of taking up tax as a first career option.
In a small room tucked away in a wing of the University of London, attended mainly by Customs & Revenue officials, PwC's John Whiting, Mandy Telford of the NUS, Natalie Lee of Bournmouth University and Quentin Davies MP spoke of how exciting and interesting a career in tax could be.
The new Website is aimed at educating students looking for careers in business that tax offers a variety of exciting opportunties primarily in the profession and government revenue-raising departments.
The Website is meant to provide a first port of call to find out about job opportunities in tax for those at school, university or already in work.
There was much talk about tax being "sexy", though speakers admitted very few students yet seek to study the subject at an academic level.
A Treasury official explained that a tax career with the government would offer a challenging and intellectually rigourous opportunity.
A section of the Website likely to attract much traffic is a game that seeks to test how you would advise clients such as top professional footballers or rock stars on their tax affairs. It asks you to balance your relationship with your client to reap the best rewards. More games are promised.
