Enables acetate-CoA ligase activity and propionate-CoA ligase activity. Acts upstream of or within acetyl-CoA biosynthetic process. Located in mitochondrial matrix. Is expressed in several structures, including alimentary system; central nervous system; genitourinary system; respiratory system; and sensory organ. Orthologous to human ACSS1 (acyl-CoA synthetase short chain family member 1). [provided by Alliance of Genome Resources, Apr 2022]