Catalyzes the conversion of acetate into acetyl-CoA (AcCoA), an essential intermediate at the junction of anabolic and catabolic pathways. AcsA undergoes a two-step reaction. In the first half reaction, AcsA 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 (By similarity). acetate + ATP + CoA = acetyl-CoA + AMP + diphosphate Acetylated. Deacetylation by the SIR2-homolog deacetylase activates the enzyme (By similarity). Belongs to the ATP-dependent AMP-binding enzyme family.