specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Sterling
providerId: sterling-check
created: '2026-07-03'
modified: '2026-07-03'
reconciled: false
tags:
- Background Screening
- Identity Verification
- Compliance
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Sterling spend. Sterling (a First Advantage company) is a
  background and identity screening provider; cost is driven by the screenings
  you order rather than by API calls. Billing is quote-based and contractual -
  effectively per background check / per screening package, with per-check price
  varying by the products bundled (criminal, verifications, drug/health,
  identity, continuous monitoring) and the screening region (US, EMEA, Canada,
  APAC). The API is the ordering channel, not a separately metered product.
  Downstream passthrough fees (e.g., court access or verification fees) may add
  to Sterling's own charges.
notes: >-
  Per-unit rates are not public and are set by contract; verify with a Sterling /
  First Advantage representative. Because screenings are the cost driver,
  allocate spend by package, region, and the internal team / requisition that
  initiated each screening (map via clientReferenceId).
sources:
- https://www.sterlingcheck.com/services/api/
- https://apidocs.sterlingcheck.app/
- https://www.sterlingcheck.com/
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Sterling
serviceCategory: Background and Identity Screening
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Usage-Based
  billingFrequency: Monthly
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Usage
  - Purchase
  - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Sterling API
  ServiceCategory: Background and Identity Screening
  ProviderName: Sterling
  PublisherName: Sterling (a First Advantage company)
  InvoiceIssuerName: Sterling
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Usage
  PricingCategory: Usage-Based
meters:
- name: screenings
  description: Background screenings (orders) submitted, billed per check.
  unit: screenings
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - package
  - region
- name: report_items
  description: Individual screening products run within screenings; contribute to per-check price.
  unit: items
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - product
- name: continuous_monitoring
  description: Recurring / continuous screenings that re-run on a schedule to monitor candidates over time.
  unit: screenings
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - package
- name: passthrough_fees
  description: Downstream third-party fees (e.g., court access, verification fees) passed through on invoices.
  unit: charges
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - jurisdiction
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track screening volume and product mix per package and region; reconcile passthrough fees separately.
- name: Allocation
  description: Tag each screening with a clientReferenceId so spend maps to the requisition, team, or cost center that initiated it.
- name: Optimization
  description: Use progressive/staged ordering to flag disqualifying results early and avoid paying for downstream products; right-size packages to the role.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign owners per hiring program; review monthly screening spend and continuous-monitoring costs against budget.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com