Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Certification Practice Test

What is the main function of ad hoc committees?

1. To handle routine business on an ongoing basis

2. To manage executive decision-making processes

3. To complete a specific task

4. To provide advice and support to standing committees

The correct answer is: To complete a specific task

The primary function of ad hoc committees is to complete a specific task. These committees are created for a defined period and are tasked with addressing particular issues or projects that arise within an organization. Once their specific purpose is fulfilled or the task is completed, these committees are typically dissolved. This allows for a focused approach to problem-solving or project completion, ensuring that the necessary expertise is gathered for that specific issue without the ongoing commitment associated with permanent committees. The other roles outlined in the options do not align with the unique and temporary nature of ad hoc committees. For example, handling routine business on an ongoing basis is more characteristic of standing committees, which are intended for continuous operations. Managing executive decision-making processes usually involves senior management or governance structures more broadly than the task-focused ad hoc committees. Providing advice and support to standing committees is also a broader role, suggesting a level of permanence and a supporting function, which does not reflect the primary objective of ad hoc committees to address specific, often urgent tasks.