Fiscal months and accounting periods

Calendar-month reporting

Many reports use the first through final day of each named month. Month lengths differ, which affects volume totals and daily averages.

Four-four-five calendars

Some retailers divide quarters into 4-, 4- and 5-week periods to keep weekday comparisons consistent. Certain fiscal years then require a fifty-third week.

Label periods clearly

Use exact start and end dates alongside period names. A phrase such as “March results” can otherwise refer to different reporting windows.

Related month guides

• Which months are in each quarter? — Map the twelve calendar months to Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4.
• How many working days are in a month? — Count weekdays and adjust for holidays, leave and local schedules.
• How to add or subtract calendar months — Handle month-end dates without overflowing into the wrong month.