Application Guide

How to Apply for Controller

at Reflective

🏢 About Reflective

Reflective is a philanthropically-funded nonprofit dedicated to advancing sunlight reflection research and technology development, a cutting-edge field with potential to mitigate climate change. As a lean, mission-driven organization, you'll have direct impact on financial strategy and operations, working alongside a passionate team committed to global impact.

About This Role

As Controller, you'll own the financial backbone of Reflective, from day-to-day accounting and controls to strategic budgeting and forecasting. Your work will directly support the organization's ability to secure and manage philanthropic funding, ensuring resources are used effectively to advance critical climate research.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start the day reviewing cash positions and approving vendor payments, then move to updating the budget forecast based on new grant awards. Midday, you might meet with the research team to review spending on a project, and in the afternoon, you'll prepare a board-ready financial dashboard and document a new control procedure.

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🎯 Who Reflective Is Looking For

  • A seasoned finance professional with 6+ years of experience, including a controller or assistant controller role, who thrives in a fast-paced, remote startup environment.
  • Deeply knowledgeable in GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards, with hands-on experience managing restricted funds and grant reporting.
  • Exceptionally organized and detail-oriented, with a talent for building financial dashboards and communicating complex data to non-finance stakeholders.
  • A self-starter who can establish and document financial controls from scratch, and enjoys working cross-functionally with scientists, funders, and leadership.

📝 Tips for Applying to Reflective

1

Highlight your experience with restricted fund accounting and grant reporting, as this is critical for a philanthropically-funded organization.

2

Provide specific examples of how you've built financial dashboards or reporting cadences that improved decision-making for leadership or boards.

3

Emphasize your ability to work remotely and independently, as Reflective is fully remote and likely values self-starters.

4

Mention any experience with climate or research organizations to show alignment with the mission.

5

Tailor your resume to show progressive responsibility and hands-on involvement in budgeting, forecasting, and cash management.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for the mission of climate change mitigation and sunlight reflection research.', "Specific examples of how you've managed financial controls and compliance in a nonprofit or research setting.", 'Your ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.', 'Your experience building financial infrastructure from scratch or scaling processes in a growing organization.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read about Reflective's current projects and research areas in sunlight reflection (e.g., marine cloud brightening, cirrus cloud thinning).
  • → Understand the philanthropic funding landscape for climate research, including major funders and reporting expectations.
  • → Review nonprofit accounting standards (e.g., FASB ASC 958) and typical restricted fund structures.
  • → Learn about the company's organizational structure and team size to gauge the level of hands-on work expected.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach setting up financial controls for a new nonprofit with multiple restricted grants?
2 Describe a time you had to explain a complex financial concept to a non-finance audience. How did you ensure understanding?
3 What experience do you have with grant reporting and compliance? Can you walk us through a recent example?
4 How do you prioritize tasks when managing budgeting, forecasting, and day-to-day accounting simultaneously?
5 This role requires building dashboards. What tools have you used, and how do you ensure data accuracy and timeliness?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without showing specific knowledge of nonprofit accounting or restricted fund management—this is a core requirement.
  • Being too generic about your experience; provide concrete examples of budgeting, forecasting, and controls implementation.
  • Underestimating the need for clear communication; avoid jargon-heavy answers and practice explaining financial concepts simply.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Reflective!

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