Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Certification Practice Test

What is a key advantage of functional departmentation?

1. Emphasis on customer output

2. Facilitates management of functional specialists

3. Reduces duplication of resources

4. Greater autonomy for departments

The correct answer is: Facilitates management of functional specialists

A key advantage of functional departmentation is that it facilitates management of functional specialists. This organizational structure groups employees based on their specialized functions or roles, such as marketing, finance, human resources, and production. By having specialists in the same department, team leaders and managers can provide focused support and development tailored to the specific skills and needs of those employees. This approach enhances efficiency since specialists can share knowledge and expertise, leading to improved performance in their respective areas. It also allows managers to have a deeper understanding of the specific challenges and processes related to their department's function. As a result, employees can become more proficient in their fields, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the organization. While other advantages such as emphasis on customer output, reduction of duplication of resources, and greater autonomy for departments are relevant in other contexts, they are not as directly linked to the efficient management of specialists within a functional departmentation framework.