What Is a Financial Year?

Your financial year is the 12-month period your organisation uses to track money coming in and going out, and to prepare your annual financial statements. It’s the timeframe that everything in your year-end report is based on.

It does not need to match the calendar year. Your financial year is whatever 12-month period your organisation has chosen in its rules or constitution.

Why it matters

A clear financial year:

• Keeps your reporting consistent from year to year
• Makes it easy to compare “this year” to “last year” (Understanding “This Year” vs “Last Year” in Financial Statements)
• Sets the filing deadline with Charities Services (if you’re registered)
• Helps trustees, members, and funders understand how things are changing over time

Common examples

Many non-profits in Aotearoa use:

• 1 April – 31 March
• 1 July – 30 June
• 1 January – 31 December

Any 12-month period is fine as long as you stick to it every year.

Your first year might be shorter

If your organisation is new, your first financial year might not be a full 12 months.
For example, if you form in October and choose a financial year ending 31 March, your first year runs from October to March.
After that, the standard 12-month cycle begins.

Filing deadlines

If you’re a registered charity, you must file your annual return within six months of your financial year end.

Examples:

• Year end 31 March → file by 30 September
• Year end 31 December → file by 30 June

Changing your financial year

You usually can—just check your rules. You’ll need a formal decision and to notify Charities Services or the Companies Register if required.
When you do change, you may have one year that is shorter or longer while you transition to the new dates.

In short

Your financial year is your organisation’s 12-month reporting period.
It’s the foundation for all your year-end statements, comparisons, filing deadlines, and planning.
Once set, keep it the same each year so your reporting stays stable and easy to understand.