Both Hiltz & Associates and Prosperident are dental-specific firms that investigate embezzlement and fraud, serving dentists, practice owners, and dental attorneys across the U.S. and Canada. If you’re comparing the two, here’s an honest look at where they’re alike and where Hiltz & Associates is different.
The short version: Both Prosperident and Hiltz & Associates have been working in this field since 2004.
Hiltz & Associates principal, William Hiltz, co-founded Prosperident and left the firm in 2017 to establish Hiltz & Associates, the embezzlement focused, digital-forensics-led alternative.
Alongside its embezzlement investigations Hiltz & Associates operates a dedicated digital-forensics division that recovers and analyzes electronic evidence well beyond the practice-management software: devices, mobile data, email, deleted data, and cloud or third-party records, reconstructing a defensible timeline for recovery and litigation.
What the two firms share
- Dental-specific embezzlement and fraud investigation (not generalist forensic accounting)
- Confidential engagements designed to proceed without alerting the suspect
- Litigation support and expert-witness testimony
- Service across the U.S. and Canada
At a glance
| Hiltz & Associates | Prosperident | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Dental embezzlement, fraud & data-misuse investigation | Dental embezzlement & fraud investigation |
| Size | Boutique, principal-led | Team of fraud examiners |
| Embezzlement investigation | Yes | Yes |
| Litigation support & expert witness | Yes | Yes |
| Digital / electronic-evidence forensics | Dedicated division: devices, mobile, email, deleted data, cloud/third-party records, forensic imaging, timeline reconstruction | Forensic analysis of practice-management software data |
| Proprietary methods | FourCore, Diagnostic Examinations, Audit Trail Review | First Look |
| Triage fees | Audit Trail Review – $750 Differential Diagnosis – $1,200 | First Look – $1,500 |
Comparison reflects each firm’s publicly described services. We state our own capabilities directly and describe Prosperident’s only from their published materials.
Where Hiltz & Associates is different
A dedicated digital-forensics division
Embezzlement evidence increasingly lives across devices and the cloud, not just in the practice-management software. Hiltz Digital Forensics (a division of Hiltz & Associates) recovers and analyzes the full electronic record: forensic imaging, mobile and device data, email, deleted-data recovery, and cloud, third-party, and ISP records, then reconstructs a defensible timeline of who did what, and when. See our digital-forensics work.
Proprietary methods: FourCore, Diagnostic Examination & Audit Trail Review
We apply our own review methods: FourCore, Diagnostic Examination and Audit Trail Review to examine a practice’s books and software audit trail and surface the manipulation that a generic review can miss.
Senior, principal-led engagement
Our boutique structure ensures that your matter is handled directly by an experienced principal rather than being delegated across a team. You will work one-on-one with a seasoned, graduate-trained, and courtroom-tested expert. This arrangement provides greater continuity, more consistent strategic direction, and a deeper understanding of your case, as decisions are made by the same person who knows all the details instead of being fragmented across multiple team members.
How to choose between them
- Do you suspect embezzlement? Both firms conduct embezzlement investigations.
- Is your case heading toward litigation? Both firms can document findings and testify.
- Is the evidence digital, beyond the practice software? If devices, phones, email, deleted data, or cloud records are in play, ask specifically about dedicated digital-forensics capability. This is where Hiltz & Associates is differentiated.
- Want a second opinion? It’s reasonable to speak with more than one firm before deciding.
Related reading
- How Dentrix, Open Dental & Eaglesoft audit trails can help expose embezzlement
- Dentrix Audit Trail Review: our low-cost first step to check a practice’s software for manipulation
- Digital forensics for dental practices
Frequently asked questions
Is Hiltz & Associates an alternative to Prosperident?
Yes. Both are dental-specific firms that investigate embezzlement and fraud, support litigation, and provide expert-witness testimony across the U.S. and Canada. Hiltz & Associates, working in the field since 2004, is distinguished by a dedicated digital-forensics division that handles electronic evidence well beyond practice-management software.
What if my case involves digital evidence beyond the practice-management software?
That’s where Hiltz & Associates is differentiated. Our dedicated digital-forensics division recovers and analyzes electronic evidence from computers, phones, email, deleted data, and cloud or third-party records, and reconstructs a defensible timeline for litigation.
Do both firms keep investigations confidential?
Yes. Confidential, dental-specific investigation is standard for both.
Who is the best dental embezzlement investigator?
There is no single firm that is best for every case. Both Hiltz & Associates and Prosperident are respected, dental-specific investigators. The right fit depends on your situation: if your matter involves digital evidence beyond the practice-management software, or you want to work directly with a principal-level expert, Hiltz & Associates is built for that.
How much does a dental embezzlement investigation cost?
Investigations are usually billed hourly, and most engagements begin with a lower-cost triage step so you can assess the situation first. At Hiltz & Associates, an Audit Trail Review starts at $750 and a Differential Diagnosis at $1,200.
Can I get a second opinion on an embezzlement investigation?
Yes. It is reasonable to consult more than one firm, and a second opinion is common when the stakes are high or litigation is likely. Hiltz & Associates is glad to review a matter confidentially.