Regardless of the nature of your business, ensuring the integrity and reliability of potential hires is critical to your success.
The benefits of background checks extend far beyond risk mitigation:
- They instill confidence among stakeholders.
- They enhance the reputation of the organization.
- They foster a culture of accountability.
- They ensure compliance. In industries where trust and credibility are non-negotiable, such as finance, healthcare, and education, thorough background screenings are often mandated by regulatory bodies.
With dozens of background check agencies offering similar services, employers are encouraged to weigh their options to find a provider that aligns with their needs and industry requirements. From the accuracy and depth of their screenings to the efficiency of their processes, every aspect of a background check agency can significantly impact the hiring outcomes for their business.
Let’s examine Accurate, Checkr, and First Advantage, three leading background check companies, and see how they compare.
Accurate
History: Founded in 1997, Accurate Background has established itself as a trusted provider of background screening services. The company’s commitment to accuracy, compliance, and customer service has earned them a loyal clientele across industries with a 98% client retention rate, one of the best in the industry.
Services: Accurate offers a comprehensive range of background screening solutions, including criminal record checks, employment verifications, drug testing, and global screening capabilities with a platform designed to deliver reliable results while minimizing turnaround times.
Industry Specialties: Accurate serves a diverse client base spanning industries such as healthcare, education, hospitality, and manufacturing. Their tailored solutions address each sector’s unique needs and regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance and peace of mind for employers.
Global Reach: Accurate offers international screening services in select markets. Their strategic partnerships and global network enable them to confidently conduct screenings internationally. Accurate offers 24/7/364 customer service and support in nearly thirty languages and across 6 continents. Offering global service in local languages around the clock makes it easier for candidates and clients to get the help they need when they need it. Over 20.4% of Accurate’s support calls come in when other vendors are closed or only offering limited support.
Strengths: Accurate is known for its commitment to accuracy, personalized customer service, and robust compliance framework. Their experienced team of screening professionals works closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver tailored solutions. Account managers average nine years of tenure with Accurate; their experience results in outstanding customer support. Accurate approaches each client with an entrepreneurial spirit. Every candidate, every position, and every onboarding decision makes a difference. Accurate’s customer support model and level of personal attention are the reason clients stay – and return to – Accurate.
Limitations: Accurate does not currently hold a FINRA certificate for FBI background checks, so they cannot provide this service.
Checkr
History: Founded in 2014, Checkr quickly became a leading provider of modern background checks with a dual focus on speed and fairness. The company’s approach leverages technology to streamline the screening process.
Services: Checkr offers a comprehensive range of screening services, including criminal background checks, employment verifications, education verifications, and driving record checks. Their platform can also integrate with applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Industry Specialties: Checkr serves a diverse array of industries, with a particular emphasis on the gig economy, technology, and startups; its website boasts that its services power 95% of the gig economy.
Global Reach: While primarily focused on the United States, Checkr has recently expanded its global footprint, offering services in select international markets.
Strengths: Checkr is known for its user-friendly platform and fast turnaround times. Their API-driven approach allows for easy integration with existing HR systems, saving time and reducing administrative burden. They also place a significant emphasis on Fair Chance hiring practices, which are geared toward helping employers build safe, diverse teams that give everyone a chance—or even a second chance—at a great career.
Limitations: Some users have reported occasional delays in the screening process, particularly during periods of high demand. Additionally, while Checkr offers international screenings, coverage may be more limited than that of other providers.
First Advantage
History: Originally founded in 2003 as First Advantage Corporation, the company has since expanded its services and global reach. They recently announced their intent to acquire Sterling Check Corp. While it’s unknown exactly what the resulting company will look like, clients are expected to benefit from investment in innovation alongside access to an expanded array of products and solutions tailored to their requirements.
Services: First Advantage offers criminal record searches, identity verifications, drug testing, and compliance assistance. Its platform incorporates advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to enhance accuracy and efficiency. First Advantage also holds a FINRA EFS certificate and can conduct FBI fingerprint searches.
Industry Specialties: First Advantage caters to various industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, and transportation. Their solutions are intended to meet each sector’s needs and regulatory requirements. Because of their FBI fingerprinting services, First Advantage is often the choice for background checks by clients in the financial services, social services, childcare/day-care, firearms, gaming/gambling, government, locksmith, transportation, and security industries where FBI fingerprinting is mandated.
Global Reach: With operations in more than 200 countries and territories, First Advantage boasts an extensive global reach.
Strengths: First Advantage is known for its global coverage and advanced technology solutions, such as FBI fingerprinting. Its platform can also accommodate the needs of many different business sizes.
Limitations: Some users have reported occasional discrepancies in screening results, particularly in international screenings where data availability may vary. Additionally, First Advantage’s service offerings could be overwhelming for smaller businesses with more limited needs.
Deciding Between Employment Screening Providers
Deciding among these providers hinges on your business’s specific needs and priorities. While each background check provider boasts distinct strengths, Accurate stands out as the overall best option for companies seeking the best service, innovation, and reliability.
Accurate distinguishes itself through its commitment to customer satisfaction, which is evident in its team of customer account managers who deliver skilled, personalized service. By prioritizing both candidate and client experiences and offering swift, proactive management reporting, it’s no wonder Accurate has such an impressive roster of satisfied clients.
For businesses looking for a partner that combines enterprise-level solutions with an entrepreneurial spirit, Accurate emerges as a favored choice for comprehensive, dependable background screening services. Contact Accurate today to discover more.
