Taxathlon 2025: The Final Showed That Accounting Is a Field Full of Emotions, Strategy and Stories

Stereotypical images of accountants quietly tapping away at their computers were definitively shattered by the first edition of the Taxathlon Challenge. This high-energy competition, running from October to November 2025, revealed accounting as the brain behind successful business.

The final held at the Prague Congress Centre confirmed that where others see only columns of numbers, future experts uncover real stories and strategic challenges.

Video: Pavlína Žukovská at STING College

From University Rounds to the National Final

The journey to victory began in an academic setting. Nineteen ambitious students took part in the internal round at the STING College, with the top five advancing to the national final. This took place on 20 November 2025 at NEWTON University in Prague.

Competing against teams from 14 universities across the Czech Republic, including major institutions such as ČZU, VUT and MUNI, our students held their ground and delivered performances fully comparable with the very best teams.

“I am extremely proud of our students and their excellent performance,” says Pavel Semerád. “It was clear they took the competition seriously and gave it their all.”

The Final Under Pressure and Expert Supervision

The national final adopted the Case Marathon format, faithfully simulating real professional practice. Five-member teams divided roles ranging from accountants to auditors and, under significant time pressure, tackled complex case studies.

Their strategic decisions were assessed by a jury made up of leading figures in the field:

• Ing. Pěva Čouková, Chair of the Board, founder of Účetní Portál, Accounting Personality of the Year 2023 and Tax Adviser of the Year 2022
• Ing. et Ing. Pavel Semerád, Ph.D., MBA, Board member, guarantor of bachelor, follow-up and MBA programmes at STING College and NEWTON University, and mentor to Czech university students
• Prof. Ing. Viola Šebestíková, CSc., Emeritus Professor of Accounting and Taxation at EKF VŠB–TUO Ostrava
• Ing. Jiří Pospíšil, Ph.D., certified accounting expert, Accounting Personality of the Year 2024, tax adviser and lecturer at STING College and NEWTON University
• Ing. Pavlína Žukovská, Managing Director and tax adviser, accounting specialist focused on simplifying complex processes, lecturer at NEWTON University and STING College

Why It Matters

Education at our university is built on digitalisation, automation and the application of theory to real-world decision-making. Taxathlon brings this approach to life, showing that the path to a profession leads not only through textbooks but through hands-on experience.

As Prof. Viola Šebestíková emphasises: “School is the start. Practice is growth.”

Thanks to the competition, students were able to test professional roles in practice and gain access to internship opportunities with prestigious companies.

When the Competition Goes Beyond the Assignment

The Taxathlon final was not limited to competitive tasks alone. An expert programme played a key role, enabling finalists to meet professionals who have been shaping the accounting and tax profession for years, both in practice and at an institutional level.

Among the speakers was Doc. Ing. Ladislav Mejzlík, Ph.D., President of the Chamber of Auditors of the Czech Republic, one of the most respected figures in Czech accounting and auditing.

The programme also featured Radim Pařík, President of the Association of Negotiators, who introduced perspectives on negotiation, decision-making under pressure and responsibility – topics more closely linked to accounting and taxation than might first appear.

The professional framework of the event was further strengthened by competition partners, who shared practical experience with students.

Partners of Taxathlon 2025 included wflow, led by Robert Soudný, Duel SQL economic software, Forvis Mazars, and Účetní-portál.cz.

The competition was held under the auspices of the Union of Accountants of the Czech Republic, which has long supported the development of the profession and the next generation of experts. The event was personally attended by Mgr. Ing. Magdalena Králová, President of the Union of Accountants of the Czech Republic.

Taxathlon 2026

The first edition set the bar high and established a stable platform connecting talent with professionals. We are already looking forward to 2026, when we will once again shape the future of accounting and taxation together.