Nicole is a manager in Worsall plc's financial reporting team. No finance function staff report to her. she has the authority to require compliance information for a range of managers in other functions and advise them on issues that arise. she also has the authority to direct them on actions to take where they are not compliant with company or external regulations.

Nicole's types of authority indicate that she is a

a/ protect manager

b/ functional manager

c/ staff manager

d/ line manager