Fiscal Quarter
A fiscal quarter is a three-month period that companies and organizations use for financial reporting and budgeting purposes. A fiscal quarter may not necessarily align with the calendar quarter and can vary by organization. Businesses typically divide their Fiscal Year into four quarters: Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4.
For example:
- A company with a fiscal year starting in April might have its quarters as follows:
- Q1: April – June
- Q2: July – September
- Q3: October – December
- Q4: January – March
- A company whose fiscal year aligns with the calendar year will have quarters as follows:
- Q1: January – March
- Q2: April – June
- Q3: July – September
- Q4: October – December
Fiscal quarters are significant for assessing a company’s performance over time, comparing results to previous quarters, and making strategic decisions.