# Temple trust taps accountants for financial overhaul

> India's richest Hindu shrine is modernizing its accounting with help from the country's chartered accountants body.
- Title: Temple trust taps accountants for financial overhaul
- Summary: India's richest Hindu shrine is modernizing its accounting with help from the country's chartered accountants body. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is…
- Keywords: tirumala tirupati devasthanams, icai, institute of chartered accountants of in, reits, real estate investment trusts, accounting manual, sri venkateswara temple, tirupati, andhra pradesh, gold valuation, erp system, temple finance
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/consultancy-/-audit/icai-working-with-tirumala-tirupati-devasthanams-for-reits-to-monetise-land-assets/articleshow/134365613.cms
- Author: PTI
- Published: 2026-09-20T08:40:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tirumala tirupati devasthanams, icai, institute of chartered accountants of in, reits, real estate investment trusts, accounting manual, sri venkateswara temple, tirupati, andhra pradesh, gold valuation, erp system, temple finance
## Accountants partner with richest temple
India's chartered accountants body ICAI is working with Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, the world's richest Hindu shrine, on multiple financial projects including accounting updates and asset monetization.
## Updating 30-year-old accounting manual
TTD's accounting manual was created three decades ago and is now being completely updated by ICAI in advanced stages of completion, covering collections, payments, and balance sheets.
## Model for other major temples
ICAI plans to use TTD's updated accounting framework as a template for other major temples and religious trusts across India to follow.

> what we hope is that the policy manual which will come for TTD may be followed by the other similar trusts or organisations in India
## Monetizing land through REITs
TTD holds large parcels of land donated by devotees. ICAI is helping set up real estate investment trusts to convert these land assets into revenue streams.
## Valuing the temple's gold reserves
ICAI is also developing methods to verify and value the gold held by TTD, adding another layer of financial transparency to the shrine's assets.
## Upgrading from old ERP system
TTD currently runs on an older enterprise resource planning system and wants ICAI to help upgrade it to the next level, including staff capacity building.
## Key takeaway

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams is updating its 30-year-old accounting manual and exploring real estate investment trusts to unlock value from donated land.