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Internal Audit & Fraud Risk Consulting

Reduce Risk. Prevent Losses. Protect Profit.

NEXABAT, LLC empowers companies across the Americas to identify misconduct, restore operational integrity, and build trust through structured audit, compliance, and ethics advisory — bilingual, confidential, and results-driven.

Bilingual services available in

English & Spanish (Portuguese upon request)

Our Services

Internal Audit Support & SOX Readiness

Internal Audit That Adds Value, Not Overhead.

We provide end-to-end internal audit services—including planning, risk-based execution, and reporting—whether you need project-based support or a fully outsourced audit function. 

 

We also review your processes and documentation to assess readiness for SOX or other compliance requirements. You receive clear, practical feedback to address gaps before auditors or regulators do. More agile and cost-effective than large firms, with no long-term staffing commitment.

Fraud Risk Assessment & Controls Testing 

Target the Risk. Test the Controls. Protect the Business.

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We identify potential fraud risks in your processes and test whether controls are working as intended. The result: clear insight to help you take action and prevent losses.

Whistleblower Program Design & Review

Build trust. Strengthen protection.

We evaluate the effectiveness of your hotline, escalation protocols, and anti-retaliation measures. As an independent reviewer and Certified Fraud Examiner, I bring objectivity and confidentiality—giving employees more confidence to speak up and leadership the clarity to respond.

Expense & Vendor Risk Reviews

Find the leaks. Fix the waste.

We take a focused look at travel, expense, vendor contracts and payment processes to spot errors, overpayments, or red flags. You get clear insights to tighten controls, reduce waste, and lower your risk.

Ethics & Compliance Program Design

Build integrity. Strengthen culture.

We help design or refresh your code of conduct, policies, and training programs to promote ethical behavior and meet compliance standards. We also perform independent ethics investigations—providing objectivity, discretion, and trusted results when it matters most.

Data Analytics & Visualization

Turn data into insight. Insight into action.

We help you analyze financial and operational data to spot trends, detect anomalies, and uncover risks. Visual dashboards make complex information clear—so you can make faster, smarter decisions.

Insights

 Contractor Payment Fraud – Mexico

Challenge: $26M in contractor spend over four years flagged as high-risk. A whistleblower raised fraud concerns; initial losses had reached ~$200K. Leadership needed answers — discreetly.

 

Approach & Solution:

  • Scoped and led the full investigation

  • Analyzed ERP (JDE) spend via Excel pivots — uncovered retrospective POs, threshold-splitting, and collusion indicators

  • Conducted site visits and system access reviews; performed Spanish-language email scans

  • Preserved whistleblower confidentiality; kept Legal/stakeholders aligned

 

Results Delivered:

  • Scheme confirmed: employees terminated, contractors disengaged

  • ~$200K in payment exposure cut

  • PO protocols and inventory controls redesigned

  • Legal adopted my framework for future investigations

  • Leadership trust reinforced; audit team repositioned as strategic problem-solvers

 

Scalable Framework: Investigation protocol now supports regional misconduct reviews across LATAM. Risk signals tied to PO timing, credential logic, and vendor payment flow are baked into site-level analytics.

Asset Disposal Conflicts – Brazil

Challenge: Assets were being classified as scrap and sold off below value to a vendor with informal ties to the operations manager. Equipment condition raised red flags internally.

 

Approach & Solution:

  • Reviewed disposal forms, inventory logs, and vendor records

  • Corroborated concerns with videos and documentation shared confidentially by site personnel

  • Validated equipment viability via third-party engineering checks

  • Flagged disposal timing irregularities and non-existent tech evaluations

 

Results Delivered:

  • Disposals suspended; asset classification protocols introduced

  • Vendor ties reviewed; conflict-of-interest disclosures required

  • Site personnel’s trust converted into process-level reform

  • Disposal controls scaled across LATAM portfolio sites

 

Scalable Framework: Asset divestment reviews now include condition validation, role segregation checks, and disposal timing controls. The protocol serves as a baseline for high-value asset risk mitigation in conflict-prone environments.

Credit Risk Redesign Across Americas Portfolio

Challenge: Receivables default rate was rising across LATAM/North America, with a 30% YOY jump in write-offs. Currency volatility and informal credit decisions drove exposure. Sales relationships often overrode limits, and 25% of high-risk customers hadn’t been reviewed in over a year.

 

Approach & Solution:

  • Segmented accounts by region, size, payment history, and industry via ERP/Excel pivots

  • Built risk scoring logic: invoice behavior + country risk + tenure

  • Created a tiered customer classification: low, medium, high-risk

  • Designed a new approval workflow: local limits → finance triggers for high-risk accounts

  • Modeled impact of tighter limits: exposure reduction vs. deal risk

  • Collaborated closely with Sales: dual-track projections to ensure buy-in

 

Results Delivered:

  • Bad debt reduced 40%

  • DSO improved by 12 days

  • ~$8M in working capital unlocked

  • Risk rating adopted across additional regions

  • Sales teams gained forecast clarity and ownership over decision logic

 

Scalable Framework: The risk scoring tool and approval structure now support credit governance across the Americas. It blends behavioral indicators with external factors to drive reliable, growth-aligned lending decisions.

Redesigning Journal Entry Controls – ICFR Failures Across Sites

Challenge: A site flagged by external auditors for recurring issues in journal entries and reconciliations — weak documentation, segregation-of-duties violations, and missing procedures. Leadership needed root cause clarity before the next cycle, not patchwork.

 

Approach & Solution:

  • Analyzed 1000+ journal entries from JDE using Excel pivots

  • Detected dual-role permissions enabling same-user approvals

  • Simulated proper workflows with IT to confirm system-wide exposure

  • Designed an Excel dashboard to flag risky entries (e.g. no backup, prep/approval conflicts)

  • Proposed revised role matrix to close access gaps

  • Identified reconciliation failures driven by process and capacity, not negligence

  • Engaged finance team to shape realistic procedural fixes

 

Results Delivered:

  • Access roles reconfigured — SoD violations resolved

  • Monitoring dashboard adopted

  • Site passed next audit with zero exceptions

  • Controls scaled across other international locations

  • External auditors flagged new credibility and process reliability

 

Scalable Framework: Control fixes were embedded into ICFR protocols for global sites. Excel-based risk flagging and role matrix mapping became foundational tools in cross-border audit remediation.

Meet Your Strategic Audit & Compliance Ally
Manuel Sabat, CFE, CICA

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  • Certified Fraud Examiner

  • Certified Internal Control Auditor

  • Fully bilingual (English / Spanish)

  • Independent, efficient, and trusted.

  • Backed by 15+ years of experience with global and regional companies.

"After 15+ years in internal audit and fraud risk—supporting both global and regional organizations—I saw a common need across companies of all sizes:
 

The need for independent, practical support to strengthen controls, assess fraud exposure, and improve compliance—without long-term contracts or bloated fees.

Whether it’s a mid-sized company building out its risk function, or a larger organization needing outside perspective or short-term project support—I offer focused, efficient solutions that help protect value and drive action.

If you’re dealing with control gaps, audit backlogs, or emerging fraud concerns—let’s talk. A focused review now could save a lot later".

Why Choose Us

1

Tailored Financial Solutions

Built around your needs—not a template.
We customize every engagement based on your size, risk profile, and business goals—so you get relevant, efficient, and right-sized support without unnecessary complexity.

2

Strategic Support

Clear answers. Straightforward support.
We bring deep audit and fraud risk experience to help you navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and move forward with confidence—no fluff, just practical insight.

3

Dedicated Support

Consistent guidance you can count on.
Whether it’s a one-time review or ongoing support, we stay engaged and aligned with your business—building trust through clear communication, reliable follow-through, and long-term value.

4

Experience That Fits Your Industry

Focused expertise, not inflated fees.
Unlike CPA firms or large consultancies, we deliver hands-on, specialized audit and fraud risk support—without passing you off to junior staff or locking you into long-term contracts. Just practical help from a seasoned professional who understands your business.

LinkedIn Testimonials from Trusted Partners

"I worked with Manuel when he was our site internal auditor at Morgan. Manuel is very thorough and detail oriented. Everything through the process was very organized and easy to execute. Not only did he perform the requirements of the audit but truly did help bring understanding and support for any findings which truly helped get them closed.

It was a pleasure to work through the audit with him as he is so personable. Often we do not associate going through an audit with any kind of pleasure but with Manuel it was very enjoyable and had me looking forward to having him back to audit again. He is a very kind and well-rounded professional".

Rachel Barclay

Corporate Accounting | Cost Accounting | Project Accounting

United States

"I've had the pleasure of working with Manuel Sabat during his time as Internal Audit Manager for the Americas at Morgan Advanced Materials, and I can confidently say he is one of the most well-rounded and driven professionals I've come across.

Manuel brings a rare combination of deep technical knowledge, especially in fraud prevention, compliance, and internal controls, with a genuinely people-centered leadership style. He’s inquisitive, methodical, and incredibly organized, qualities that made him a trusted voice not only within the audit function but also among cross-functional teams across North and South America.

He played a pivotal role in strengthening our audit processes, implementing the Diligent HighBond platform, and leading sensitive investigations with integrity and discretion.
 
Beyond his technical skills, Manuel was a true team player, approachable, collaborative, and always willing to mentor or support others.
Any organization would be lucky to have Manuel driving their risk, audit, or compliance agenda forward. 
I highly recommend him without reservation".

Marta Scuderi

Director of Internal Controls

United States

"Manuel consistently demonstrated excellence as a business partner in internal control improvement, fraud risk assessment, and ethics & compliance guidance. His ability to comprehend business models and the interaction of resources in day-to-day operations provides a unique perspective for addressing potential conflicts of interest and control deficiencies, transforming them to actionable items.
 
Manuel is a highly skilled audit manager who makes a positive impact to any management team he interacts with. It has been a privilege to work with him to improve the internal control environment at many entities that we collaborated on during my tenure as controller in Morgan Advanced Materials".

Carlos Pelaez

Senior FP&A Manager - Americas

United States

"I had the opportunity to work with Manuel Sabat in his role as Internal Auditor at Morgan Advanced Materials (LSE: MGAM).

During this time, he proved to be a rigorous professional, with strong analytical skills and a deep commitment to integrity.

His fluency in both English and Spanish has enabled him to interact effectively with teams across different countries, building trust and understanding of both corporate processes and local realities.

I highly recommend Manuel for his ability to identify risks, propose effective controls, and bring a strategic perspective that strengthens the company’s operations".

Mauricio Norambuena

Site Manager and Controller

Chile

"It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Manuel, with whom I’ve had the privilege of working.
Manuel has consistently demonstrated exceptional business acumen that has translated into tangible results for our organization. What truly sets Manuel apart is his unique combination of goal driven determination and empathic leadership."

Veronica Pacheco 

Procurement Manager

United States

"I had the pleasure of working with Manuel during his time as an internal auditor at Morgan. Every year, he collaborated closely with my team, helping us significantly improve our internal controls and align with the group’s standards.

Manuel combines a great sense of humor with a high level of professionalism, responsibility, and attention to detail. He works exceptionally well in a team, striking the right balance between firmness and empathy. His support was instrumental in our continuous improvement, and working with him was both enriching and enjoyable.

I highly recommend Manuel and truly value the experience of having worked with him."

Elson Martins

Controller, CFO, Site Manager

Brazil

"I had the privilege of working with Manuel Sabat for 10 years, very detail-oriented professional I´ve met in the organization, his ability to analyze information, risks and internal processes was the most important contributions for me, I will always be grateful for his help and support.

I highly recommend Manuel Sabat for any role related to auditing, ethics, internal control. I´m certain he will continue to make a positive impact wherever he goes. Special thanks for him since our site in Mexico".

Abel Avila

Financial Controller

Mexico

"I had the pleasure of having Manuel report to me when I headed the Internal Audit department at Morgan Advanced Materials. Manuel consistently demonstrated outstanding efficiency, professionalism, and a personable approach that made him a true asset to our team.

He is an excellent communicator with a sharp sense of humour, which greatly contributed to fostering a positive and collaborative working environment. His work ethics are impeccable — always reliable, diligent, and committed to delivering high-quality results.

I particularly appreciate the exceptional work Manuel did in establishing formal audit processes across our US and LATAM subsidiaries. His depth of experience and proactive approach ensured these initiatives were both robust and effective, adding significant value to the Morgan Group.

I highly recommend Manuel. He is not only very experienced but also brings tremendous dedication and expertise to any audit team. It was a privilege to work with him, and I wish him best of luck".

Pablo M Gil (ACMA CGMA CIA CFE)

United Kingdom

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