Fewer than a quarter of accountants say they would chose to relocate to the Channel Islands, an indication that the benefits the tax havens offer are not sufficient to encourage professionals to move, according to a survey by UK weekly Accountancy Age. Dubai, New York and Sydney, however, came out as the most popular destinations to relocate to with over half those surveyed saying that the lifestyle benefits the cities offer was the main motivation for their choice, according to a survey for GAAPweb, a specialist accounting and finance jobsite. Only 16 per cent mentioned career progression as a main attraction for relocating. The Channel Islands were towards the bottom of the list, with 24.3 per cent stating they would consider moving to Jersey, 20 per cent to Guernsey. But only 15.7 per cent said they would consider a move to the Isle of Man, another UK Crown Dependency, making it bottom of the list. Melissa Buxton, head of marketing, GAAPweb said: “While it’s hardly surprising that places like Dubai, New York and Sydney ranked high in terms of the most sought after cities for relocation, what is surprising is how low career progression sits in the motivation for seeking work outside the UK. Candidates are also missing out by not considering more seriously the thriving economies right on their doorstep such as the Channel Islands.” “Jersey, for example provides a huge opportunity with 60 per cent of its economy based around the financial sector. Over 50 accountancy firms are based in Jersey as well as over 300 law, trust, banking and fund businesses which all require finance and accountancy staff.”