First Advantage Corporation (NASDAQ: FA) is a leading global provider of employment background screening, identity, and verification solutions. The company leverages proprietary technology to deliver innovative services that help businesses manage risk, hire top talent, and ensure safer environments for employees, contractors, tenants, and drivers. Its offerings include pre-onboarding screening, post-onboarding monitoring, and a range of adjacent products tailored to meet the needs of global enterprises, mid-sized companies, and small businesses.
- Pre-Onboarding Screening - Provides criminal background checks, drug/health screening, education and work verifications, and Social Security number verifications to support hiring decisions.
- Post-Onboarding and Monitoring - Offers continuous monitoring of employees and contractors to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
- Adjacent Products - Includes fleet/driver compliance, executive screening, data analytics, social media monitoring, and hiring tax incentives to address additional workforce and operational needs.
- Americas Segment - Delivers background check and compliance services across the workforce lifecycle in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
- International Segment - Provides similar services as the Americas segment, tailored for Europe, India, and Asia-Pacific markets.
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| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Scott Staples ExecutiveBoard | Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | None | CEO since April 2017, previously co-founded Mindtree Ltd., and held roles at Cambridge Technology Partners, Gemini Consulting, and Prudential. Holds a B.A. from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. | View Report → |
Bret T. Jardine Executive | EVP, General Counsel, and Secretary | None | Joined FA in August 2004, became EVP, General Counsel, and Secretary in January 2011. Holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida and a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. | |
Joelle M. Smith Executive | President | None | Joined FA in July 2017, previously EVP of Resident and Investigative Research, Chief Experience Officer, and President of Data, Technology, and Experience. Holds a B.S. from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. | |
Steven Marks Executive | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | None | CFO since November 8, 2024, previously Chief Accounting Officer and SVP of Accounting and Controller. Holds a B.S. and Master of Accounting from the University of Florida and is a licensed CPA in Georgia. | |
John Rudella Board | Director | Director at Silver Lake; Board member at Entrata, EverCommerce, and The Station Foundation | Director since January 2020, private equity investor with Silver Lake since 2014. Holds a B.S. from the United States Military Academy and an MBA from Harvard Business School. | |
Joseph Osnoss Board | Chairman of the Board | Managing Partner at Silver Lake; Board member at Carta, Cegid, Clubessential Holdings, EverCommerce, Global Blue, Global Payments, LightBox, Relativity, and Zuora | Chairman since January 2020, extensive private equity experience, and serves on multiple boards. Holds a B.A. in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Harvard University. | |
Judith Sim Board | Director | Director at Fortinet Inc. | Director since June 2021, former Chief Marketing Officer at Oracle Corporation (1991-2020). Holds a B.S. in Dietetics from the University of California at Davis. | |
Susan R. Bell Board | Director | Director at Rollins, Inc., RPC, Inc., and Marine Products Corporation | Director since June 2021, retired from Ernst & Young LLP after a 36-year career. Holds a B.P.A. from Mississippi State University and is a CPA in Georgia and Tennessee. |
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Given the complexities of integrating multiple platforms from the Sterling acquisition, how do you plan to manage potential disruptions to customer service and prevent customer churn during this process?
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With Sterling experiencing attrition among higher-margin customers that impacted margins, what specific strategies are you implementing to address this issue and prevent further margin erosion?
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Base revenues came in lower than expected in the third quarter due to macroeconomic headwinds; what measures are you taking to improve base growth in the coming quarters, and how confident are you in these initiatives?
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Can you elaborate on the potential revenue synergies from the Sterling acquisition, specifically regarding upsell and cross-sell opportunities, and how you plan to achieve these without significant integration-related distractions?
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How are you prioritizing capital allocation between debt paydown, integration costs, and investments in innovation, and what is your expected timeline for reducing net leverage to your target range?
Research analysts who have asked questions during FIRST ADVANTAGE earnings calls.
Andrew Nicholas
William Blair & Company
4 questions for FA
Andrew Steinerman
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
4 questions for FA
Scott Wurtzel
Wolfe Research
4 questions for FA
Shlomo Rosenbaum
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
4 questions for FA
Jeffrey Silber
BMO Capital Markets
3 questions for FA
Manav Patnaik
Barclays
3 questions for FA
Ashish Sabadra
RBC Capital Markets
2 questions for FA
Kyle Peterson
Needham & Company
2 questions for FA
Harold Antor
Jefferies Financial Group Inc.
1 question for FA
Ronan Kennedy
Barclays
1 question for FA
Stephanie Moore
Jefferies
1 question for FA
Notable M&A activity and strategic investments in the past 3 years.
| Company | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
Sterling Check Corp. | 2024 | Sterling Check Corp. was acquired by First Advantage for approximately $2.2 billion in a cash-and-stock deal (with 71–72% of shares receiving cash and 28–29% stock) that also included the assumption of outstanding debt, expected to generate $50–70 million in run-rate synergies and boost capabilities in AI-driven automation and digital identification technologies. |
Infinite ID | 2023 | Infinite ID was acquired for $41.0 million to expand the portfolio of digital identity and biometrics solutions in the US; despite contributing $8.4 million in revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the acquisition was not material to the overall financial position. |
Form I-9 Compliance | 2022 | The acquisition of Form I-9 Compliance for approximately $19.8 million in cash expanded the product suite with I-9 and employment eligibility solutions, with asset allocations including current assets, property and equipment, and customer lists, and resulted in $9.116 million in goodwill (which is tax-deductible). |
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for FA.
- FA delivered strong Q3 2025 results, with revenues of $409 million, up 3.8% year-over-year on a pro forma basis, adjusted EBITDA of $118.5 million (29% margin), and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.30, a 15.4% increase year-over-year.
- The company narrowed its full-year 2025 revenue guidance to $1,535 million-$1,570 million and expects adjusted EBITDA margins of approximately 28%.
- Integration of the Sterling acquisition is progressing ahead of schedule, with $52 million in synergies actioned to date, exceeding the original $50 million target, and a revised synergy goal of $65-$80 million within two years.
- Customer retention improved to 97% in Q3, driven by successful new logo and upsell/cross-sell initiatives, which delivered 9% growth in the quarter, and the company made over $70 million in year-to-date debt principal repayments.
- FA reported strong Q3 2025 financial results, with revenues of $409.2 million, a 3.8% year-over-year increase, Adjusted EBITDA of $118.5 million (29.0% margin), and Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.30.
- The company narrowed its full-year 2025 guidance ranges, with updated projections for Total Revenues between $1.535 billion and $1.570 billion and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share between $0.98 and $1.02.
- FA is celebrating one year post-closing on the Sterling acquisition, noting successful integration ahead of schedule and high customer retention of 97%.
- The company demonstrated progress in its capital structure, reporting a cash balance of $217 million and $80.5 million in Adjusted Operating Cash Flows for Q3 2025, alongside $70.5 million in total debt repayments since closing. Net leverage improved to 4.2 at September 30, 2025.
- First Advantage reported Q3 2025 revenues of $409.2 million and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.30.
- Net income for Q3 2025 was $2.6 million, which included $6.3 million of expenses related to the Sterling Check Corp. acquisition and integration, and $41.7 million of Sterling acquisition depreciation and amortization.
- The company refined its full year 2025 guidance, narrowing the ranges with midpoints at or above original guidance, now projecting revenues of $1.535 billion to $1.570 billion and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.98 to $1.02.
- Subsequent to the quarter-end, First Advantage made a voluntary principal repayment of $25 million, bringing total principal repayments for the year to $70.5 million.
- First Advantage (FA) reported revenues of $409.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $118.5 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025.
- For Q3 2025, the company achieved Adjusted Net Income of $52.3 million and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.30.
- The company refined its full-year 2025 guidance, projecting revenues between $1.535 billion and $1.570 billion and Adjusted EBITDA between $430 million and $440 million.
- Cash Flows from Operations for Q3 2025 were $72.4 million, with the integration of the Sterling acquisition progressing ahead of schedule.
- First Advantage's revenue growth is driven by 4-5% new logo growth, 4-5% upsell and cross-sell, and 96%+ customer retention, enabling mid-single-digit growth even in a flat job market.
- The company's base growth assumption for the second half of 2025 is the negative side of neutral, and for 2026, it is expected to remain around a neutral state, not yet returning to the 2-3% positive long-term trend.
- Post-merger, First Advantage's vertical mix is approximately 50% white collar and 50% blue collar, with healthcare now its largest vertical at about 24% of the business.
- The Sterling merger, which will celebrate its one-year anniversary on October 31, has seen its net cost synergy target elevated from $50 million+ to $65 million to $80 million, with $47 million already actioned within eight months of close.
- First Advantage is focused on deleveraging, having voluntarily prepaid $40 million of debt and repriced debt to lower borrowing costs by 50 basis points, with a target of reaching 3x net leverage by the end of 2026.
- Management detailed progress on the Sterling integration, having achieved $37 million in synergies so far with a target of $65–80 million, while consolidating technology platforms and preserving strong customer retention.
- The company introduced its FA five point zero strategy effective January 1, emphasizing deepening verticals—especially in healthcare—and targeting long-term growth with revenue expansion, margin improvements, and a robust $10 billion digital identity market opportunity.
- Strategic Transformation and Acquisition: First Advantage detailed its evolution from a background screening provider to a global software, data, and services firm, emphasizing the completing of the Sterling acquisition to strengthen its vertical market reach and technology capabilities.
- Ambitious Revenue and Market Expansion: Executives outlined a long-term revenue target of $1.8 to $2 billion by 2028, backed by growth through upsell, new logos, international expansion, and leveraging an expanded total addressable market of $24 billion, which includes a $10 billion digital identity component.
- Enhanced Technology and AI Integration: The company highlighted significant investments in R&D and innovation, including the application of AI and machine learning to streamline data integration and improve customer experience.
- Q1 performance exceeded expectations with revenue of $355M and non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $92M .
- Reported a net loss of $(41.2M) alongside Adjusted Net Income of $30.5M .
- Reaffirmed full-year 2025 guidance, expecting revenues between $1.5–$1.6B, Adjusted EBITDA between $410–$450M, and Adjusted Net Income between $152–$182M .
- Integration of the Sterling acquisition is progressing well, with approximately $37M in run-rate cost synergies achieved .
- Emphasis on operational efficiency, synergy realization, and balance sheet deleveraging to support long-term growth .