Catalyzes the conversion of acetate into acetyl-CoA (AcCoA), an essential intermediate at the junction of anabolic and catabolic pathways. Acs undergoes a two-step reaction. In the first half reaction, Acs combines acetate with ATP to form acetyl-adenylate (AcAMP) intermediate. In the second half reaction, it can then transfer the acetyl group from AcAMP to the sulfhydryl group of CoA, forming the product AcCoA. Enables the cell to use acetate during aerobic growth to generate energy via the TCA cycle, and biosynthetic compounds via the glyoxylate shunt. Acetylates CheY, the response regulator involved in flagellar movement and chemotaxis. acetate + ATP + CoA = acetyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate Acetylated. Deacetylation by the SIR2-homolog deacetylase activates the enzyme. Belongs to the ATP-dependent AMP-binding enzyme family.