CCEP Certification Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

"Substantial authority personnel" under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines refers to individuals within an organization who hold significant positions of authority—those who have the power to make decisions that can impact the organization's operations, policies, and practices. This aligns with roles that involve oversight and managerial responsibilities that have a broader influence on compliance and ethical decision-making within the company.

In the context provided, a purchasing supervisor typically operates in a role that is linked to significant financial decisions, vendor selections, and procurement strategies that can directly affect the company's compliance with laws and regulations. This position is crucial because purchasing decisions can have legal implications and can affect the organization's exposure to risk. The purchasing supervisor's actions can influence the integrity of the company’s procurement processes and thus fall under the definition of "substantial authority."

In contrast, the roles mentioned with the other choices, such as production line manager, internal audit secretary, and HR benefits associate, generally do not carry the same level of overarching authority in terms of compliance and ethical decision-making as a purchasing supervisor. Their responsibilities, while important, are often more operational and do not typically involve the same level of authority over organizational policies or compliance risks.