WORKING for a dot.com business does not guarantee greater financial rewards than 'old economy' companies, according to a new survey by Arthur Andersen.

The poll - Directors' Remuneration on Flotation - found that dot.coms offer broadly similar salaries to other companies.

Dot.com millionaires, and large payouts, it said, were due to the significant share price growth enjoyed recently by many dot.coms. But it is also possible to acquire shares at low prices in many start-up firms outside the Internet revolution.

Bill Cohen, a spokesman for the accountancy firm, said: "People need to check the business they are considering joining is stable and well-managed and should not simply be seduced by the expectation of very high financial rewards from dot.coms."