The posting
Keep payroll, light accounting and HR administration running for Hobonichi Inc., and be the bridge between the U.S. team and headquarters in Tokyo.
About Hobonichi
Hobonichi is the Tokyo company behind the Hobonichi Techo, a planner with one page for every day of the year. Our parent company, Hobonichi Co., Ltd., is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Standard Market, 3560). North and Central America now account for more than a third of Hobonichi Techo sales, and in 2025 we established Hobonichi Inc. in the United States to serve the region more directly.
The Role
You will own the day-to-day HR, payroll and light-accounting operations for Hobonichi Inc., and act as the bridge between the U.S. team and headquarters in Tokyo. Working alongside the payroll provider and an outside accounting firm, you will keep the essential processes running smoothly. This is a build-phase role, suited to someone who enjoys broad, hands-on work.
Reports to: HQ Finance in Tokyo, with a dotted line to the General Manager, North America once in place.
What You'll Do
- Payroll operations: Coordinate with the payroll provider or PEO; manage onboarding and offboarding paperwork; maintain timekeeping and PTO records.
- Light accounting: Process expenses and accounts payable; support the monthly close with the outside accounting firm; handle basic bookkeeping (for example, QuickBooks).
- Headquarters bridge: Work with Finance and HR in Tokyo; compile and translate figures and documents; support reporting.
- HR and benefits administration: Support benefits enrollment, keep employee records, and help run company policies day to day.
- General affairs: Support vendor, supplies and contract administration.
Why Join
- Be one of the first: Join the U.S. team at the very beginning, with room to shape how things work.
- Visible work: Work directly with headquarters and the U.S. leadership.
- A thoughtful pace: The company would rather grow slowly and carefully than quickly and carelessly.
Our Process
1. Introductory conversation (30 minutes)
2. Interview with the hiring team (45 minutes)
3. Final interview
We aim to reply to every applicant within five business days.
Hobonichi Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need an accommodation during the application process, please let us know.
Requirements
Must-haves
- Native-level Japanese and business-level English, including reading and writing
- 2+ years in bookkeeping or accounting, HR administration, or office administration
- A working understanding of payroll and accounts payable; comfort with spreadsheets
- Care with detail, initiative, and enjoyment of working in a small team
- Authorization to work in the United States (visa sponsorship is not available for this role)
Nice-to-haves
- Experience at the U.S. subsidiary of a Japanese company, with a PEO, or with multi-state payroll
- Experience with QuickBooks or similar accounting software
Benefits
- Base salary: $50,000 – $65,000, depending on experience
- Health, dental and vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Hybrid work in Hermosa Beach, California
(Benefit plans are being finalized.)
