Purpose The current study aims to investigate the amount of downward pressure on audit fees and its effect on audit quality. Design/methodology/approach The research population includes 104 listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange. In this study, at first, the audit fees pressure was measured; then, by comparing it with actual audit fees, the pressure on audit costs was calculated. Finally, the hypotheses were tested using logistic regression. Findings The results of models and hypotheses show that, as expected, during the intensification of sanctions (i.e. during 2010), compared with other years, business entities have exerted more pressure to reduce audit fees; moreover, there is a positive significant relationship between fees pressure and the rate of misstatement (reverse audit quality criterion) at 10 per cent error level during 2010, whereas in years before and after 2010, there is no significant relationship between audit fees pressure and audit quality. Originality/value The conducted studies in Iran so far have investigated time pressures imposed on auditors. In this study, the audit fees pressure is investigated.