ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwired - Jan 8, 2014) - First Advantage, a Symphony Technology Group (STG) company and the leading global provider of screening analytics and identity solutions, today announced that is has been recognized by TopHR, a leading Human Resources media company in China, as the Best Background Screening Service Provider in the 2013 China HR Pioneer Awards.

TopHR launched this inaugural award in 2013 to recognize the growing focus among employers in China to conduct background screenings on their job candidates. During the Sixth Annual China HR Strategic Management Annual Conference, Kevin Zhang, China Country Manager of First Advantage, received the award from Chen Min, Chief Human Resources Officer of ThyssenKrupp Elevator China, in front of 800 HR practitioners from multiple industries across China.

"Employment background screening has grown at a rapid pace across Asia and particularly in China over the past five years. Organizations here are increasingly aware of the importance of background screening in mitigating hiring risk and as part of a holistic and compliant hiring process, as well as a tool for building good employer brands," said Zhang. "In 2013, First Advantage saw screening volumes in China rise by more than 30 percent, with more state-owned and private enterprises screening their employees. We have also seen more industries such as Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing and FMCGs actively incorporating best background screening practices."

Zhang added, "The growth of the Chinese market will result in more global and local candidates joining organizations based in top cities across the country. In a market that can often have challenges in regard to data integrity, this prestigious award highlights the value of working with First Advantage, a widely recognized industry leader with expertise in conducting background checks in China and across the globe." 

First Advantage clinched the award through top scores in the following judging criteria:

1. First Advantage is the largest background screening provider in China, having served the Human Resources industry for more than 10 years.
2. The organization has consistently provided a high level of technical innovation, service quality and operational excellence.
3. First Advantage's products and services have consistently obtained good response from the HR industry in China.

For more information about First Advantage's award-winning background screening solutions in China, please contact Yvonne Li at Yvonne.li@fadv.com.

About TopHR
TopHR is a leading professional HR media company in China, established in 2007. TopHR operates www.tophr.net, TopHR Magazine, HR Conference & Exhibition and HR Elite Club in order to deliver valuable HR information and Interactive communication platform for HR practitioners. In addition, TopHR provides marketing and branding solutions to HR service providers, including advertisement, event marketing, brand communication planning, etc.

About First Advantage
First Advantage provides comprehensive screening, identity and information solutions that give employers and housing providers access to actionable information that results in faster, more accurate people decisions. With an advanced global technology platform and superior customer service delivered by experts who understand local markets, First Advantage helps customers around the world build fully scalable, configurable screening programs that meet their unique needs. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., First Advantage has offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

First Advantage started background check business in Mainland China in 2001, and currently has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Zhuhai with over 130 full time staff running comprehensive programs for about 400 clients. More information about First Advantage can be accessed at www.fadv.com.

About Symphony Technology Group
Symphony Technology Group (STG) is a strategic private equity firm with the mission of investing in and being a partner in building great software and services companies. In addition to capital, STG provides transformation expertise to enable its portfolio companies to deliver more value to clients to retain and attract the best talent and to achieve best-in-class business performance. All STG portfolio companies are expected to grow through innovation. STG's current portfolio consists of 12 global companies with combined revenue of approximately $2.5 billion and thousands of employees spread across North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.symphonytg.com.