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Senior Cost Accountant

Silgan · Downers Grove, IL · $75,000–$80,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time your cost analysis changed a business decision.

What they are checking: Whether their work influences decisions on pricing, production or products rather than just reporting results.

How would you explain a cost variance to a plant manager who isn't an accountant?

What they are checking: Whether they can make cost data useful to operations people who can act on it.

Tell me about a time you improved a costing or close process.

What they are checking: Whether they look for ways to make work faster and more accurate instead of repeating old habits.

What would you do

How do you work with plant controllers who are in different locations and sometimes disagree with corporate numbers?

What they are checking: Whether they can collaborate across plants and resolve disagreements with data, not authority.

You find that a product's standard cost has been wrong for months. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they correct it properly, explain the impact and fix the process that caused it.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd set up a standard cost for a new closure product.

What they are checking: Whether they can build material, labor and overhead into a standard that plants can stand behind.

A plant shows a big unfavorable material variance this month. How do you investigate it?

What they are checking: Whether they split price from usage and work with the plant to find what actually happened.

Explain how LIFO and FIFO affect inventory valuation and cost of goods when resin or metal prices rise.

What they are checking: Whether they understand inventory methods well enough to explain their effect on the financials.

What do you check during month-end close to make sure inventory is valued correctly?

What they are checking: Whether they have a disciplined close process with reconciliations and reasonableness checks.

How do you handle overhead allocation when a plant's volume drops sharply?

What they are checking: Whether they understand absorption and how volume swings affect product costs and variances.

How do you keep general ledger accounts clean and supported?

What they are checking: Whether they reconcile regularly and keep documentation that would hold up in an audit.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Silgan.

Senior Cost Accountant – Manufacturing | Silgan Closures |Downers Grove, IL Stability. Innovation. Industry Leader. – We Are Silgan. Silgan Closures is seeking a Senior Cost Accountant to support manufacturing and financial operations in Downers Grove, IL. This role focuses on manufacturing cost accounting, standard costing, inventory accounting, cost variance analysis, financial reporting, general ledger accounting, and month-end close. You'll partner with plant teams and controllers across multiple manufacturing locations to ensure accurate product costs, inventory valuation, and financial results. What we offer you: • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance • Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, and disability coverage • Salary range: $75,000 - $80,000 based on experience • 401(k) with company match • Paid vacation and holidays • Tuition reimbursement • Voluntary benefits, including pet insurance, legal plans, identity protection • Employee engagement events and team-building activities • Opportunities for professional growth and career advancement • Stable employment with global industry leader What you'll do: Cost Accounting • Support manufacturing plants with costing and setup of new products and items • Prepare supporting schedules and analyses for inventory valuation methods, including LIFO and FIFO calculations • Analyze and provide recommendations for standard cost updates and changes • Calculate and monitor manufacturing overhead rates. • Research, analyze, and explain manufacturing and inventory variances. Assist plant personnel with inventory transaction issues • Provide inventory accounting and month-end close support for plant controllers during absences or periods of increased workload • Manage excess and obsolete inventory processes, including Slow Moving and Obsolete Inventory (SLOB) and HFI accrual calculations General Accounting • Prepare and post journal entries • Reconcile balance sheet account activity • Review general ledger activity to ensure transactions are properly recorded and classified • Load operational and financial unit data into Planful • Coordinate and distribute monthly close and forecast calendars • Assist with month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close processes and audits You'll need to have: • Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field • 3-5 years of cost accounting experience, preferably within a manufacturing environment • Knowledge of cost accounting principles, inventory accounting and financial reporting • Experience with general ledger reconciliations and journal entries • Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis and financial modeling • Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines • Preferred: • Experience with ERP systems, preferably JD Edwards; • Familiarity with Planful or similar financial planning and reporting software • Experience with LIFO/FIFO inventory methodologies • Understanding of manufacturing operations and standard costing systems Why Join Silgan Closures? • Fortune 500 packaging leader with 109 manufacturing facilities worldwide • Global provider of sustainable metal and plastic packaging solutions • Strong commitment to safety, innovation, sustainability, and employee development • Collaborative culture where employees can make an immediate impact • Long-standing reputation for stability, growth, and operational excellence Apply Now! LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status. Silgan is a drug-free workplace. EEO/M/W/Vet/Disability

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