The Effect of firm's Life Cycle on Audit Fees

Previous studies find the evidences of audit fee based on premium risk. Life cycle stages of the firm (growth, maturity and decline) are very important factors affecting the performance of firms and also the business risk. This study examines the effect of firm`s life cycle on audit pricing. Statistical universe of this study is the Tehran Stock Exchange listed firms during 1382 to 1388 which they disclose their auditing fees in the financial statements. In this study we used the Simunic Auditing Fees Model (1980). After controlling the factors such as auditing quality, Auditee size, financial risk, profitability, audit complexity, Audit opinion, Auditor switching and the end of financial year in audit pricing model, our findings show that the auditing fee in decline stage is significantly higher than growth and maturity stages and also the growth stage`s auditing fee isn`t significantly higher than maturity stage.