Charles MacPherson Associates

I chose to attend the Jan-​Feb 2015 session of the Charles McPherson Academy for Butlers and Household Managers because I knew there was quite a lot about private service I hadn’t yet been exposed to or had the opportunity to master. I was returning to private service after 10 years away and wanted to be competitive as a candidate and exceptionally well-​prepared as an employee. I researched several different academies in the US and found the Charles McPherson Academy to offer the curriculum, learning environment, schedule, value, and, most importantly, the reputation in the private service community that I was looking for.
As a graduate of the Academy, I received superb training in a wide range of skills pertinent to Household Managers (a.k.a. Butlers) and also tremendously valuable to Personal Assistants (my focus). The curriculum covers Household Management, Butler Skills, Etiquette & Protocol, Table Setting & Service, Valet Skills, Event Planning, Wardrobe Management, Laundry, Housekeeping, Household Mechanicals, Cigars, Coffee, Cooking, Wine, Champagne, Mixology, Security, and First Aid, all in 4 very full weeks in Toronto, Ontario.
Mr. MacPherson presented the Household Management topics and subject matter experts presented the other topics. The Academy staff were actively involved in each day’s lessons. We were quizzed every morning on the previous day’s lessons and corresponding sections of the textbook, which provided a timely gauge of how well we had learned the material. There was also a mid-​term and a final exam. A fellow student and I met up for study sessions, which helped us both.
While attending the Academy, Mr. MacPherson helped me negotiate an offer from an outside recruiter to work as a Personal Assistant /​Head of Domestic Staff, a position I would have felt unprepared for if it hadn’t been for the Academy.
Since graduating, I have referred back to the training and the text book often for guidance on household matters. My fellow graduates and I keep in touch and look out for one another. Mr. MacPherson and the Academy staff are very supportive and assist with recruitment placements as well as work-​related quandaries, which is invaluable. Of course, no one recruiter’s net is large enough to catch all of the job opportunities, so it’s still important to work with multiple recruiters.
I am proud to be an alumna of the Charles McPherson Academy and believe attending has been an extremely valuable investment in my career and my professional network. I highly recommend the Academy and am happy to try to answer any questions you may have.
Heather Higgins

As I was researching the web for information regarding the Charles Macpherson Academy in Toronto on a course in Household Management I came across a disturbing review regarding the Academy on Unilocal.Fortunately the sole reviewer did nothing to deter me from attending this outstanding Academy as it was clear to me the reviewer had only one purpose which was a failed attempt to tarnish their reputation. So, for the sake of future reviewers who may be considering attending the Academy it is indeed my pleasure to provide the following comments, including my personal contact information for follow up should you so desire.
My initial and follow up calls to the Academy prior to attending were met with both professionalism and sincerity by Judy, Scott and Charles himself. They answered all of my questions and any concerns I had truthfully and promptly. At no time did they, or have they guaranteed me job placement during, or after the course. They did promise every effort would be made to assist me in finding a suitable position upon successful completion of the course, but also added it would and will require my own personal effort as well. They have been very helpful in assisting with the revision of my resume and have sent out, as they do for all students, a very well prepared Graduate Book to several recruiting agencies they partner with. During my initial research of the academy, including several Private Service Industry contacts, (current butlers and estate managers) recruiting agencies and DEMA, I was pleased to hear that all provided me with positive and encouraging feedback regarding this Academy.
On arrival of the first day I was pleasantly surprised to find the Academy located in a convienent location to buses, trains, shopping restaurants etc. The internet provides many options on where to stay near the Academy, but in particular, the useful student handout I recieved prior to attending contained a pluthera of information on where to stay, eat, shop etc in Toronto. The school is located in an older, heritage style building and the classroom itself is very well outfitted with everything students would need during the many practical components of the course. Top of the line equipment such as Miele and several pieces of high end clothing were available for classrom instruction. It was a very clean and professionally organized facility as I anticiapted it would be. Opening day with Scott and Charles was very pleasant as they informed us of all the rules, regulations and policies regarding the course, many of which are mandated by the Ontario School Board of Education. This course would not be a cakewalk, there is much content to absorb in 4 weeks, 6 days a week, with reading assignments each evening. Should any student fail to meet certain requirements expected of them they would be informed, and likewise, should the school fail at anytime to meet their expectations they were invited and encouraged to speak with any of the faculty at anytime, in particular with Charles himself.
The instructors were nothing short of professional as they shared with us with their impressive bacgrounds and stories to start followed by very informative theory, combined with practical hands on demonstrations. Everything one needs to know in order to successfully run a household is taught during this intense, yet fun and engaging course where everyone is encouraged to participate and ask questions as often as they wished. You will be successful in gaining an exciting career in the Private Service Industry if you study, listen carefully, ask questions and participate in class each day. Graduation Day was performed as though we had all just graduated from university and combined with more importantly how professionally run overall the Charles MacPherson Academy is operated, it was indeed a First Class experience!
Mr. MacPherson’s favorite quote «Stay professional and you will never go wrong» will be forever imbedded in my mind. Despite my several years of international hospitality management experience, it was very much a valuable, learning experience for which I consider myself fortunate to have attended. Thank you to all the staff at the Charles MacPherson Academy, and Mr. MacPherson for providing a reputable and outstanding Academy preparing those interested in pursuing a career in the Private Service Industry!
Kindest regards,
Mike Hryniuk —

DO NOT pay money to go here if you are looking to become a Household or Estate Manager. They will NOT help you find a job. Also, their training is a complete joke. You are stuck in an old warehouse the entire time and it is not hands on what so ever. The first week, you have Charles just talking and talking about himself and his book or his clipping in the newspaper or the show he goes on every week.
He does not provide any real on the job training. Then they have these people come in who are suppose to be experts but all they do is just talk about themselves and cannot really offer you much. Plus, if you come in from out of town or out of the country like myself, they don’t offer housing, so you are on your own to find a place to stay and live for the month. They don’t have advice on where you should stay or where a good and safe location is either.
The clothes they have there for you fold, iron or pack are from a dead guys closet and it smells like urine. The so called bar/​wine training is a joke. The guy who teaches that class doesn’t teach you anything about managing a wine cellar, doesn’t teach you the finer things on bartending or planning a party, he again is just someone that talks about himself and things he has done in the past.
Then you have the lady who is suppose to teach you about etiquette and party planning but all she does is read to you from a book and again, fails to teach you anything about party planning.
All in all, this was a HUGE waste of a month and a big waste of money. There are way better places out there, you are better off going to Mary Starkey’s in Colorado or Professional Domestic Services in Ohio. They give you hands on experience and useful information.
Better yet, contact DEMA and see if you can shadow an actual butler or household or estate manager for a couple weeks, you’ll actually get to see how to manage a household and see how things run and what to do, how to act, and how to truly manage the household in a professional manner.
Again, DO NOT waste your money here. They will not help you find a job. There were 6 of us in the class and Charles MacPherson and his staff have not helped any of us after we graduated. I’ve spoken to my classmates numerous times and they all say the same thing, they won’t respond back to your calls or emails.
Honestly, why would they? They already collected your money, so why would they bother to help you afterwards? It’s a scam. Please, don’t waste your time or money here. You will be sorry if you do…