fiscal year

noun

Definition of fiscal year

: an accounting period of 12 months

Examples of fiscal year in a Sentence

Sales were up in the last fiscal year. Our fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.

Recent Examples on the Web

The street parking enforcement division brought in $135 million in fiscal year 2017, according to PPA data. — Jason Laughlin, Philly.com, "Philly's controller to audit PPA's parking enforcement," 11 July 2018 In fiscal year 2017, Health Start provided more than 17,260 home visits, serving 2,367 women and their families. — Brian Sodoma, azcentral, "Lottery assists Arizona families in need," 9 July 2018 Yet instead of being financially relieved by this revenue boom, 18 of them burned through it and still posted annual deficits of more than $1 million in fiscal year 2017, compared to seven at that level in 2011. — Christopher Schnaars, USA TODAY, "Is overspending catching up to these Power 5 schools?," 28 June 2018 In fiscal year 2017, The Villages received $2.6 million in funding from the Office of Refugee Resettlement through its Unaccompanied Alien Children Program. — Laura Bauer, kansascity, "Topeka nonprofit has been caring for nine migrant children separated from parents," 25 June 2018 While Mexico is still the most common country of origin for families arrested at the border, in the last eight months Honduras has become the fastest-growing category as compared to fiscal year 2017. — Author: Garance Burke, Martha Mendoza, Anchorage Daily News, "Youngest migrants held in ‘tender age’ shelters," 20 June 2018 While Mexico is still the most common country of origin for families arrested at the border, in the last eight months Honduras has become the fastest-growing category as compared to fiscal year 2017. — Time, "Toddlers Separated From Parents at the Border Are Being Detained in 'Tender Age' Shelters," 20 June 2018 While Mexico is still the most common country of origin for families arrested at the border, in the last eight months Honduras has become the fastest-growing category as compared to fiscal year 2017. — CBS News, "AP: Gov't holding "tender age" migrant kids in at least 3 shelters," 20 June 2018 While Mexico is still the most common country of origin for families arrested at the border, in the last eight months Honduras has become the fastest-growing category as compared to fiscal year 2017. — NBC News, "Trump officials send migrant babies, toddlers to 'tender age' shelters," 20 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fiscal year.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

25 Sep 2018

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The first known use of fiscal year was in 1843

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More Definitions for fiscal year

fiscal year

noun

Financial Definition of fiscal year

What It Is

A fiscal year is an accounting period of 365(6) days that does not necessarily correspond to the calendar year beginning on January 1st. The fiscal year is the established period of time when an organization's annual financial records commence and conclude.

How It Works

A company's fiscal year will always reflect the date of the calendar year in which it ends. For example: The financial operations of the federal government are carried out in a fiscal year that begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. Therefore the government's fiscal year for 2008 would begin on October 1, 2007 and end on September 30, 2008.

Why It Matters

The key thing to remember is that a fiscal year doesn't necessarily correspond with the calendar year. Although it may not seem like very important, when a company starts its fiscal year can have an impact on its fundamental analysis. This is especially true of cyclical companies.

Consider a retailer that has an incredible first quarter. An investor may look at that company and think it will probably post even higher earnings during the end of the year, during the holiday season. However, if that company started its fiscal year in September, then its first quarter earnings will have already encompassed the higher sales that accompany the holiday shopping season, and the remaining three quarters will most likely be a little lower.

Source: Investing Answers

fiscal year

noun