By Abubakarr Sesay
December 22, 2025
A powerful narrative of Sierra Leonean talent meeting and exceeding the highest global standards is embodied in the career of Martin Samson Koroma, PMP, CPA, FCCA. Having successfully established the financial backbone for a life-saving national service in his home country, Mr. Koroma has demonstrated an extraordinary ability that continues to make an impact on the international stage, currently serving in a leadership role in the United States. His achievements, both recent and foundational, have drawn significant attention, showcasing a professional trajectory of such consequence that it confirms his standing as one of the nation’s most impactful project finance experts.
The impact of Mr. Koroma’s work in Sierra Leone has directly informed his continuing success in the global marketplace. After moving to the United States to pursue advanced education and earning his Master of Science in Project Management from Northeastern University, one of the most prestigious universities in the USA, he immediately applied his specialized expertise to achieve remarkable career advancement. He is currently the Assistant Director of Finance at Victory Human Services, where he has demonstrated extraordinary ability in finance and project management by rapidly progressing from Co-op to Project Financial Accountant to Assistant Director of Finance within just one year, a trajectory that reflects his exceptional technical proficiency and leadership capabilities In his current role as Assistant Director of Finance, Mr. Koroma provides strategic financial and project management leadership for a nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He is spearheading a comprehensive restructuring of the finance department to enhance operational efficiency while ensuring full compliance with all legal requirements and modern financial management standards. This transformation demonstrates his capacity to drive institutional change and implement best practices in complex organizational environments.
Furthermore, during his time at Northeastern University, Mr. Koroma demonstrated leadership within the university’s graduate community as the Treasurer of the African Graduate Student Association. In this capacity, he managed the organization’s finances and provided stewardship in a diverse, high-level academic setting. In recognition of his dedication and impact, he was honored with the Outstanding Service Award by the association on December 13, 2025.
Beyond Martin’s nonprofit healthcare role, he serves Massachusetts families as a Licensed Life Insurance Producer, helping secure financial independence through sophisticated products like Indexed Universal Life insurance that reduce reliance on government programs. He also volunteers as a tax preparer at the Nigerian Center, where his CPA expertise transforms complex US tax codes into vital refunds for hardworking families. This multifaceted work, from insurance to tax preparation, strengthens American economic stability by promoting private-sector solutions and empowering immigrant communities toward financial self-sufficiency
Mr. Koroma’s most significant contribution in Sierra Leone was his pivotal role as Finance Manager for the National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) Project, where he acted as the Sierra Leonean finance leader for the unprecedented, nationwide emergency medical system. His work went beyond mere accounting; it was fundamental nation-building. Working from a zero-precedent environment, he designed the entire World Bank-compliant financial infrastructure, establishing the project accounting system, drafting comprehensive financial policies, and building treasury systems. These meticulous controls, validated by clean audit opinions, guaranteed the operational readiness of the 1,000-person NEMS workforce, ensuring life-saving services reached eight million Sierra Leoneans across all 16 districts without interruption. This extraordinary professional contribution was recognized with one of Sierra Leone’s most respected national honors, awarded by the president of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, underscoring the official, national recognition of the significant, original contribution Mr. Koroma made to the country’s development.
Mr. Koroma’s foundational expertise was developed at KPMG Sierra Leone, where he served as an Associate and Senior Associate in Audit (2014-2018). During this time, he performed risk assessments, developed audit strategies for complex engagements, identified high-risk areas, and presented critical findings to client management and boards of directors in a Big 4 environment.
Following his national service at NEMS, Mr. Koroma held two successive critical leadership roles at Sierra Rutile Limited (2020 –2023), one of Sierra Leone’s largest mining companies and a publicly listed company on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Serving first as Payroll Accountant and subsequently as Treasurer, he managed payroll for over 3,000 employees and oversaw treasury operations. These roles established him as a trusted leader in financial and project management within a distinguished international organization operating in a capital-intensive industry with significant national economic impact and subject to stringent international financial reporting standards.
His dedication to professional excellence is further affirmed by his elite global certifications: he is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA Canada), a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA UK), and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from the Project Management Institute, credentials that place him among the small percentage of professionals at the top of their field.
The career of Martin Samson Koroma, spanning critical public service achievements in Sierra Leone and continued high-level performance in the United States, is a powerful example of a national expert whose sustained achievements demand international recognition. His pioneering work in NEMS remains a documented contribution of major significance, placing him in the elite tier of global finance professionals.