accounting

fiscal year

A 12-month period used by governments and businesses for accounting and budget purposes, which may or may not align with the calendar year.

Example

"Apple's fiscal year ends in September, not December like the calendar year."

💡 Memory Tip

FISCAL YEAR = the financial YEAR. Companies choose when their year starts — doesn't have to be January.

Etymology

Fiscal (relating to public finances) + year — the financial year of a business or government.

Common Misspellings

fiscal yeerfiscal yrfical yearfiskal year

Related Terms

revenuebudget

See Also

accountingquarterly earnings

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