What is an Account Executive at Occidental Petroleum?

The Account Executive role at Occidental Petroleum, specifically within the OxyChem division, is a vital link between the company’s financial operations and its vast network of vendors and partners. In this position, you are not just managing numbers; you are managing the financial integrity and reputation of one of the world's leading chemical manufacturers. Your work ensures that the supply chain remains fluid, and that the capital flow supporting global operations is handled with precision and transparency.

As an Account Executive, your impact is felt across the entire organization. By overseeing Accounts Payable workflows and managing high-level vendor relationships, you contribute directly to the company's bottom line and operational efficiency. You will be tasked with navigating complex financial landscapes, resolving intricate billing discrepancies, and implementing process improvements that drive value in a high-stakes energy and chemical environment.

Joining Occidental Petroleum in this capacity means stepping into a role of strategic influence. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams in Dallas and across the United States to ensure that financial commitments are met with the highest standards of accuracy. This is a role designed for professionals who thrive on structure, value clear communication, and are eager to contribute to the financial health of a Fortune 500 leader.

Common Interview Questions

Expect a mix of behavioral questions and role-specific scenarios. The interviewers at Occidental Petroleum use these questions to gauge your technical competence and your alignment with their professional, structured culture.

Behavioral and Leadership

These questions test how you handle professional challenges and interact with others in a team setting.

• Tell me about a time you had to deliver difficult news to a vendor or stakeholder.
• Describe a situation where you had to work with someone whose style was very different from your own.
• How do you handle a situation where you are given a task with unclear definitions or instructions?
• Give an example of a time you went above and beyond to ensure a project was completed accurately.

Technical and Role-Specific

These questions focus on your knowledge of Accounts Payable and your ability to manage the day-to-day tasks of an Account Executive.

• Walk me through the steps you take to reconcile a complex account discrepancy.
• How do you ensure 100% accuracy when managing high volumes of financial data?
• What specific ERP tools have you used, and how have they improved your workflow?
• Describe your process for managing year-end financial closings.

Situational and Problem-Solving

These scenarios are designed to see how you think on your feet and apply your experience to new challenges.

• If a key vendor threatened to stop shipments due to a payment dispute, how would you handle the first 30 minutes of that crisis?
• You notice a recurring error in how a specific department submits invoices. How do you address this with that department manager?
• How do you balance the need for strict adherence to financial policy with the need to maintain a positive relationship with a long-term partner?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparing for an interview at Occidental Petroleum requires a blend of technical financial proficiency and strong interpersonal communication. The company looks for candidates who are not only masters of their craft but also fit the collaborative and transparent culture that Oxy prides itself on. Your preparation should focus on demonstrating how your past experiences align with the rigorous standards of the energy and chemical sectors.

Role-Related Knowledge – You must demonstrate a deep understanding of Accounts Payable (AP) cycles, financial reporting, and vendor management. Interviewers will evaluate your familiarity with industry-standard ERP systems and your ability to manage high volumes of transactions without sacrificing accuracy.

Problem-Solving Ability – Occidental Petroleum values candidates who can approach financial discrepancies with a logical, analytical mindset. You will be assessed on how you identify root causes of issues and your ability to implement sustainable solutions that prevent future errors.

Stakeholder Communication – As an Account Executive, you are the face of OxyChem to many external partners. You must show that you can handle difficult conversations with vendors and internal stakeholders with professionalism and clarity, ensuring that all parties feel valued and informed.

Culture Fit and Integrity – The interview process is designed to see if you align with Oxy’s core values of safety, integrity, and investment in people. You should be prepared to discuss how you navigate ambiguity and how you maintain ethical standards in a fast-paced corporate environment.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for the Account Executive position at Occidental Petroleum is known for being structured, fair, and transparent. Historically, candidates have described the experience as positive and respectful of their time. While older processes may have been more informal, current evaluations are multi-staged and collaborative, ensuring that both you and the hiring team have a clear understanding of the role's expectations and your potential fit.

You can expect a process that moves efficiently from initial screening to deeper technical and behavioral evaluations. Occidental Petroleum places a high premium on "getting to know the person" behind the resume, meaning that while your technical skills are a prerequisite, your personality and professional demeanor will be under the microscope. The company aims to provide prompt feedback, making the candidate experience feel valued and professional.

This timeline illustrates the progression from the initial application to the final offer. It highlights the transition from broad introductory conversations to more focused, multi-stage assessments where your specific skills are tested. Use this overview to pace your preparation, ensuring you are ready for both the "get-to-know-you" phase and the more rigorous collaborative evaluations.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Financial Operations and AP Management

At the core of the Account Executive role is the mastery of Accounts Payable and financial management. Interviewers will dive deep into your experience managing the full lifecycle of a transaction. They want to see that you understand the nuances of the OxyChem business model and how financial accuracy supports large-scale manufacturing operations.

Be ready to go over:

• End-to-end AP Workflows – Your experience with invoice processing, payment cycles, and reconciliation.
• ERP Proficiency – Your ability to navigate complex software (such as SAP or Oracle) to manage data and generate reports.
• Audit Compliance – How you ensure that all financial activities meet internal and external regulatory standards.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you identified a significant error in a financial report and the steps you took to rectify it."
• "How do you prioritize high volumes of invoices when deadlines are tight?"

Vendor and Stakeholder Relations

Because this role involves significant external interaction, your ability to manage relationships is critical. Occidental Petroleum looks for candidates who can act as ambassadors for the company, maintaining positive relationships even during complex financial disputes or negotiations.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution – Strategies for handling billing disputes or late payment inquiries from key vendors.
• Cross-functional Collaboration – How you work with procurement, logistics, and legal teams to streamline financial processes.
• Professionalism and Tone – Demonstrating a consistent, respectful communication style across all mediums.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Negotiation strategies for payment terms.
• Managing international vendor accounts with currency fluctuations.
• Implementing automated vendor communication portals.

Process Optimization

Occidental Petroleum values continuous improvement. They are interested in candidates who don't just follow existing processes but look for ways to make them better, faster, and more accurate.

Be ready to go over:

• Identifying Bottlenecks – Recognizing where financial workflows are slowing down or prone to error.
• Technology Integration – Using tools to automate repetitive tasks and increase data integrity.
• Change Management – How you introduce new processes to a team and ensure adoption.

Key Responsibilities

As an Account Executive at Occidental Petroleum, your primary responsibility is the meticulous management of OxyChem Accounts Payable. This involves overseeing the daily operations of the AP department, ensuring that all invoices are processed accurately and payments are issued on time. You will act as a guardian of the company’s cash flow, balancing the need for operational speed with the necessity of financial precision.

A typical day involves more than just data entry; you will be actively engaged in collaborative evaluations of existing financial structures. You will work closely with department managers to define roles, set consistent standards for financial reporting, and ensure that all team members are aligned with the company’s fiscal goals. Your role is to provide transparent insights into the financial health of your assigned accounts, offering prompt feedback to leadership when issues arise.

Furthermore, you will drive initiatives that enhance the transparency and fairness of the payment process. This includes developing clear role definitions within your team and ensuring that vendor inquiries are handled with a high degree of respect and professionalism. Your work ensures that Occidental Petroleum remains a preferred partner for its suppliers, directly impacting the company's ability to operate efficiently on a global scale.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for the Account Executive position, you must bring a solid foundation in accounting or finance, paired with the soft skills necessary to lead in a corporate environment. Occidental Petroleum seeks individuals who are detail-oriented, proactive, and capable of working within a structured, multi-stage assessment environment.

• Technical Skills – A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is typically required. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables) and experience with large-scale ERP systems is essential for managing the OxyChem accounts.
• Experience Level – Candidates usually possess 3–7 years of experience in accounts payable, financial analysis, or account management, preferably within the energy, chemical, or manufacturing industries.
• Soft Skills – Strong verbal and written communication skills are non-negotiable. You must be able to explain complex financial issues to non-financial stakeholders and maintain a positive experience for vendors.

Must-have skills:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proven track record of managing vendor relationships and resolving disputes.
• Ability to thrive in a structured environment with clear timelines and definitions.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience with SAP or similar high-level financial software.
• Previous experience in a management or lead role within an AP department.
• Professional certifications such as a CPA or Certified Accounts Payable Professional (CAPP).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the interview process for the Account Executive role? A: Candidates generally describe the process as "easy" to "very easy" in terms of technical intimidation, but highly "structured" and "thorough." The difficulty lies in your ability to demonstrate consistent, high-level professionalism and clear communication rather than solving complex riddles.

Q: What is the typical timeline from the first interview to an offer? A: Occidental Petroleum is known for respectful timelines. While it varies, the process usually concludes within 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the number of collaborative evaluation stages required for the specific team.

Q: What makes a candidate stand out at OxyChem? A: Beyond technical skills, a candidate who shows a genuine interest in the OxyChem business model and demonstrates a "service-oriented" mindset toward internal and external stakeholders will stand out. Transparency and a collaborative spirit are highly valued.

Q: Is there a specific focus on Dallas-based operations? A: Yes, many Account Executive roles for OxyChem are centered in Dallas, TX. Familiarity with the local business landscape and a willingness to work in a structured corporate office environment are important.

Other General Tips

• Master the STAR Method: When answering behavioral questions, always use the Situation, Task, Action, and Result format. At Oxy, they value structured thinking and clear outcomes.
• Research OxyChem Specifically: While Occidental Petroleum is the parent company, OxyChem has its own distinct market and challenges. Showing you understand the chemical industry specifically will differentiate you.
• Emphasize Accuracy: In a role dealing with Accounts Payable, any mention of "attention to detail" should be backed up by a specific system or habit you use to catch errors.

• Prepare Questions for Them: Ask about the team’s current challenges or how they are utilizing technology to improve financial transparency. This shows you are already thinking about how to add value.

Summary & Next Steps

The Account Executive position at Occidental Petroleum is a career-defining opportunity for financial professionals who value structure, transparency, and impact. By managing the Accounts Payable functions for OxyChem, you become a critical component of a global supply chain, ensuring that the company’s financial commitments are met with integrity and precision. The role offers a competitive environment where your ability to build relationships and optimize processes will be directly linked to your success.

To succeed, focus your preparation on demonstrating a balance of technical AP expertise and the "soft skills" required for high-level vendor management. Review your past experiences for examples of problem-solving, process improvement, and collaborative success. Remember that Occidental Petroleum is looking for a long-term fit—someone who will uphold their values while driving financial excellence in their Dallas operations and beyond.

The salary range for this position typically falls between $58,417 and$82,647 USD, depending on experience and location. When discussing compensation, keep in mind that Oxy looks at total value, including their comprehensive benefits and the stability of a leading energy firm. Use this data to benchmark your expectations and highlight the specific high-value skills you bring that justify your position within this range. Focused preparation is your best tool for navigating this process and securing a place within the Occidental Petroleum team.