what is the difference between a fiscal quarter and a calendar quarter 
fiscal quarters do not have to line up with the calendar year for instance if a company chooses to have its fiscal year starting in february rather than january then its first quarter would consist of february march and april companies sometimes choose to do this if they want their fiscal year to end in their own peak season alternatively since finishing the year often involves a lot of additional accounting work some companies choose to end their fiscal year on a relatively calm month 