LONDON, July 17 (Reuters) - Swiss financial software

group Temenos is studying options, including a sale,

for its fund management unit Multifonds, three people familiar

with the matter said.

Temenos, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, has been working

with Rothschild and Goldman Sachs ( GS ) to gauge interest in the

business, the first two people said. The sale is drawing private

equity interest from funds including Montagu Private Equity, the

first and third people said.

Temenos is looking for as much as 600 million euros ($653

million) for Multifonds, the first person added.

The three people spoke on condition of anonymity as the

talks are private.

Representatives for Temenos and Rothschild did not respond

to a request for comment. Montagu and Goldman Sachs ( GS ) declined to

comment.

Discussions about the sale come during a tumultuous year for

Temenos.

The company's shares plunged almost a third in value in

February after a report by short-seller Hindenburg Research

alleged accounting irregularities, which Temenos denied.

A special committee appointed by Temenos, including outside

accountants and lawyers, in April called Hindenburg's

allegations "incorrect and misleading".

Temenos then appointed Jean-Pierre Brulard as chief

executive in May after his predecessor, interim CEO Andreas

Andreades, came under pressure to step down from activist

shareholder Petrus Advisers.

Founded in Luxembourg, Multifond's software helps fund

administrators and asset managers among others to improve

operational efficiencies in areas such as accounting, investor

dealing and shareholder record keeping.

Temenos makes software that connects the client-facing part

of banks with back-office processing departments.

The company does not disclose financial results for

Multifonds, but the first source said it was expected to

generate earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and

amortisation (EBITDA) of about 25 million euros and revenues of

57 million euros in 2024.

Temenos bought the business for 235 million euros in 2015

from private equity firm Summit Partners.

($1 = 0.9188 euros)