Mary Musu Combey stands out as a beacon of excellence among the 100 Reputable Women of African Descent in 2025, redefining the landscape of internal controls, risk management, and audit leadership. With an illustrious career spanning national and international organizations, Mary has dedicated her professional journey to aligning audit functions with strategic organizational objectives, strengthening governance, ensuring compliance, and driving operational efficiency. Her expertise in designing and executing state-of-the-art audit frameworks has not only mitigated financial risks and safeguarded revenue streams. Still, it has also set new standards in performance auditing and financial reporting across diverse sectors.
Throughout her career as Director of Internal Controls and Audit, Mary has seamlessly integrated strategic planning with risk-based auditing methodologies, fostering transparency and compliance at the highest levels of leadership. By pioneering initiatives such as spearheading risk-based audit plans at the National Revenue Authority and developing the inaugural performance audit framework in Sierra Leone, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to upholding global standards in internal audit practices. Mary’s leadership extends beyond the technical aspects of auditing; she has played a pivotal role in mentoring teams, coordinating responses to external audits, and driving international audit training programs that have elevated the reputation of performance auditing across Africa.
Her comprehensive approach to financial management, which includes intricate knowledge of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC), coupled with her hands-on experience in managing high-risk audit engagements, has positioned her as a trusted advisor and a strategic leader in the field. The development of innovative financial reporting templates and the establishment of robust internal control frameworks under her stewardship have significantly enhanced accuracy, regulatory compliance, and overall operational resilience within the organizations she has served.
Mary Musu Combey’s remarkable achievements and professional values centered on building resilient internal control systems and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders underscore her visionary leadership in a rapidly evolving business environment. Her dedication to mentoring emerging professionals and creating capacity-building initiatives not only strengthens the current fabric of internal audit and controls but also ensures that future generations are equipped to lead with integrity and innovation.
Celebrated among the 100 Reputable Women of African Descent in 2025, Mary Musu Combey exemplifies the dynamic spirit and transformative impact of African leadership. Her trailblazing career in internal controls and audit continues to inspire and empower organizations, demonstrating that a commitment to excellence, transparency, and strategic foresight can drive sustainable growth across continents and industries.
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