Cost Accountant in Irvine, California at HYH America

About HYH America

HYH America Inc. is a U.S.-based subsidiary of hy Co., Ltd., a South Korean leader in fermented dairy, functional beverages, and health-focused nutrition with over 50 years of innovation. Building on hy's legacy of pioneering wellness solutions for millions of households, HYH America represents the company's strategic expansion into the United States market.

More than a product-driven business, HYH America is a purpose-led venture committed to shaping everyday lifestyles. Our mission is to inspire Healthier Habits and Happier Cultures, bringing together thoughtfully crafted wellness products, community, and cultural experiences to create a more balanced and joyful way of living. Through health innovation, authentic collaborations, and culturally relevant engagement, HYH America is redefining how wellness is experienced across America and beyond.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Cost Accountant is responsible for managing the Company's cost accounting and inventory accounting functions, ensuring accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and financial reporting. This role supports both imported finished goods and domestically manufactured products by overseeing landed cost allocations, manufacturing costs, inventory movements, and product profitability. The position plays a key role in ensuring accurate inventory valuation throughout the Company's import, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution operations. The position partners closely with Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics, Operations, and Sales to maintain accurate inventory records, analyze cost drivers, and improve operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and company policies.

This is a fulltime, exempt position, fully on-site based at our Irvine, CA office.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Cost Accounting (50%)

• Maintain accurate product costs for both imported finished goods and domestically manufactured products.
• Calculate and analyze product costs, including material, packaging, manufacturing, freight, duty, customs, warehousing, and other landed cost components.
• Review and allocate landed costs to inventory in accordance with company policies and U.S. GAAP.
• Analyze manufacturing costs from third-party co-packers and investigate production cost variances.
• Review bills of materials (BOMs), production reports, and inventory consumption to ensure accurate product costing.
• Monitor purchase price variances (PPV), manufacturing variances, freight variances, and inventory valuation adjustments.
• Prepare monthly Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) reconciliations and gross margin analyses.
• Analyze inventory reserves, excess & obsolete inventory, and inventory write-offs.
• Analyze product profitability by SKU, customer, and sales channel.
• Support standard cost updates and periodic cost roll-forwards.
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting by providing inventory and cost analyses.
• Recommend opportunities to improve product costing accuracy and reduce overall supply chain costs.

2. Inventory Management (30%)

• Monitor inventory movements from overseas suppliers, domestic vendors, manufacturing partners, warehouses, and distribution centers.
• Reconcile inventory balances between accounting records, warehouse reports, and physical inventory counts.
• Perform monthly inventory reconciliations and investigate inventory discrepancies.
• Coordinate cycle counts and annual physical inventory counts.
• Maintain inventory master data and costing information within the accounting system.
• Analyze inventory turnover, aging, slow-moving inventory, and reserve requirements.
• Ensure proper accounting for Goods in Transit (GIT), inventory transfers, inventory adjustments, and write-offs.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Logistics teams to improve inventory accuracy and internal controls.

3. General Accounting & Financial Reporting (20%)

• Prepare journal entries related to inventory, manufacturing costs, landed costs, COGS, and inventory reserves.
• Perform inventory-related balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support month-end and year-end closing activities.
• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing inventory schedules and supporting documentation.
• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies and U.S. GAAP.
• Support continuous improvements in inventory accounting processes and ERP/QuickBooks functionality.
• Perform other accounting and finance duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in cost accounting, inventory accounting, manufacturing accounting, or related accounting functions.
• Experience with inventory reconciliations, cost analysis, month-end close, and financial reporting.
• Strong understanding of inventory valuation, landed cost accounting, and manufacturing cost accounting.
• High level of integrity, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualification

• Bilingual proficiency in English & Korean is preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing, food & beverage, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries strongly preferred.
• Experience with imported inventory, landed cost accounting, and international supply chain operations.
• Experience working with third-party manufacturers (co-packers).
• Experience with QuickBooks Enterprise Advanced Inventory, ERP systems, or inventory management software.
• Strong understanding of inventory valuation methods, standard costing, and landed cost allocation.

Core Competencies

• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP, cost accounting, inventory valuation, and manufacturing accounting principles.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build positive relationships with customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, PivotTables, and lookup functions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while consistently meeting deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify and implement process enhancements.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position and operate office equipment for a prolonged period of time.
• Must be able to work in a schedule that commensurate with business operation, including work during weekends, holidays and/or times outside of normal business hours.

Equal Opportunity Statement

HYH America is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.