Fiscal year
Also known as: financial year
A fiscal year is the twelve month period a company uses for its accounting and financial reporting. It does not have to match the calendar year. Many companies end their year on December 31, but others end it in June, September or January, often to finish the year after their busiest season.
A fiscal year is usually named after the calendar year in which it ends. A company whose year runs from July 2023 to June 2024 calls it fiscal 2024, often written FY2024. Quarters follow the same pattern, so the first fiscal quarter of one company can cover entirely different months from another company's first quarter.
When comparing companies with different year ends, line up the periods before drawing conclusions. A figure, which adds up the four most recent quarters, is a common way to put two companies on the same timeline.