Better deals.Financial clarity when transactions become complex.
We assist corporates, financial investors and their legal advisers with SPA Finance Advice, Post-Signing Assistance and M&A Dispute Services.
Expertise
Creating value from better deals.
Solution Overview
Pre-Signing
Client Situation
Solution
SPA Finance Advice- Advise clients on price mechanisms, representations and warranties
- Translate financial deal issues, risks and opportunities into SPA provisions to the benefit of our clients
Post-Signing
Client Situation
Solution
Post-Signing Assistance- Purchase price optimisation within the framework of the SPA
- Evaluation of covenants, guarantees and indemnifications
- Closing Accounts Assistance
- File Objection / Dispute Notice
M&A Disputes
Client Situation
Solution
M&A Dispute Services- Advise buyer or seller in an M&A dispute
- Independent Expert
- Expert Witness
- Good Faith Negotiations
Credentials
- 20+ years of transaction expertise across two Big4 firms. Partner and practice leader.
- 1,000+ projects delivered by dedicated expert team
- Best-in-class expert reports
Our approach
Financial clarity when transactions become complex.
Lean structures. Fast decisions. Entrepreneurial thinking.
Credentials
A proven track record in navigating clients through complex M&A deals.
Real results. Delivered by leading experts.
Client perspectives
What clients value.
01 / 05
Publicly listed multinational group
„Danke, dass Sie uns hier an die Hand genommen und das Potenzial aufgezeigt haben – das Geld war sehr gut investiert.“
Senior financial executive
02 / 05
International corporate group
„Ich bin außerordentlich zufrieden mit dem Mehrwert der Dienstleistung: Sehr gute Reduktion der Komplexität und Handling der enormen Menge an Daten und Dokumenten. Immer wieder sehr hilfreiche Fokussierung auf das kommerziell Wesentliche!“
Director M&A
03 / 05
Magic Circle law firm
„Hervorragende Fachexpertise und Erfahrung im Bereich SPA Finance Advice, Closing Accounts und M&A Disputes.“
Partner, Magic Circle law firm
04 / 05
Leading international law firm
„Die Zusammenarbeit mit Herrn Schleis und seinem Team war stets fachlich hochqualitativ, zuvorkommend und höchst professionell. Eine klare Empfehlung.“
Partner, leading international law firm
05 / 05
Global private equity investor
“Thank you for the extensive support and great work.”
Managing Partner, global private equity investor
Transaction lifecycle
One transaction. One financial logic.
Decisions made in the SPA shape the post-signing process, purchase price calculations and any subsequent dispute. Experience across the full lifecycle makes these connections visible early.
The three fields shown in the logo become connected phases of one transaction logic rather than isolated services.
How we work
Senior-led. AI-powered. Value-focused.
Team
Expert team. Proven transaction experience.
Our dedicated expert team combines SPA, M&A dispute, accounting, financial and legal expertise with a proven track record in navigating parties through complex M&A deals.
Partners
Ingo Schleis
Partner · Wirtschaftsprüfer · Steuerberater
Ingo has a proven track record in SPA Finance Advice, Post-Signing Assistance and M&A Disputes. He provides comprehensive deal support to corporates, financial investors and their legal advisers across a wide range of industries. With more than 20 years of senior transaction experience across two Big4 firms, including as a Partner and practice leader, he has successfully delivered more than 1,000 projects together with dedicated expert teams.
Christoph Harbers (formerly Schmidt)
Partner · Wirtschaftsprüfer · Steuerberater
Christoph brings more than 12 years of experience gained across numerous M&A transactions, with a particular focus on SPA Finance Advice, purchase price mechanisms, closing accounts and post-signing matters. He has in-depth expertise in identifying purchase price issues and supporting clients in good-faith negotiations and M&A disputes.
TFA Expert Team
One integrated expert team.
Our core team comprises five transaction finance experts, led by Ingo Schleis and Christoph Harbers. Where required, our German team is complemented by international multidisciplinary specialists.
We have the capabilities required: Our team of specialists, comprising experienced deal negotiators, due diligence specialists, forensic accounting experts and dispute resolution experts, brings a unique blend of experience in structuring hundreds of sale and purchase agreements, supporting clients through completion and execution of transactions, and resolving complex transaction and purchase price disputes.
Senior-led. Team-delivered. AI-powered.
Ingo has a proven track record in SPA Finance Advice, Post-Signing Assistance and M&A Disputes. He provides comprehensive deal support to corporates, financial investors and their legal advisers across a wide range of industries.
With more than 20 years of senior transaction experience across two Big4 firms, including as a Partner and practice leader, Ingo has successfully delivered more than 1,000 projects together with dedicated expert teams. He has built and led specialist practices and advised clients throughout complex M&A transactions — from SPA negotiations and purchase price mechanisms to closing accounts, good-faith negotiations, independent expert proceedings and transaction disputes.
Earlier in his career, Ingo spent three years in KPMG’s IFRS Group within the Department of Professional Practice (National Office), the firm’s central technical function for complex accounting matters under IFRS and German GAAP (HGB). This background enables him to combine excellent accounting judgement with a detailed understanding of SPA provisions and the commercial dynamics of M&A transactions.
Ingo translates complex financial, accounting and contractual issues into clear negotiating positions and practical, value-focused recommendations.
Selected Publications
- M&A-Transaktionen: Bilanzgarantien und ihre VersicherbarkeitUnternehmeredition · M&A Insurance
- PwC: „M&A Markt im Wandel: Unsicherheiten und ESG-Trends als Treiber von Transformation, aber auch M&A-Auseinandersetzungen“M&A Review · Interview
- „Der M&A-Markt boomt, aber auch der Trend zu Auseinandersetzungen setzt sich fort“M&A Review · Interview
- Potential pitfalls in W&I claims: A finance perspectiveM&A Review
- Post-M&A and W&I insurance disputesFinancier Worldwide Magazine · TalkingPoint
- Die Corona-Krise als Treiber von M&A-KonfliktenM&A Review
- M&A-Insurance: Der erfolgreiche Umgang mit W&I-ClaimsM&A Review
- M&A Purchase Price Disputes: Sicher durch turbulente Zeiten navigierenM&A Review
- Geplante Neuregelung der Umsatzrealisierung nach IFRS – Erneuter Standardentwurf des IASB (ED/2011/6 „Revenue from Contracts with Customers“)Die Wirtschaftsprüfung (WPg)
Christoph brings more than 12 years of experience across numerous M&A transactions. He provides deal support to corporates and financial investors across a wide range of industries.
Christoph is an M&A professional combining SPA, financial, accounting and dispute expertise. He has in-depth experience in analysing closing accounts, identifying purchase price issues and supporting clients in good-faith negotiations and M&A disputes.
He connects accounting and financial analysis with the contractual mechanics of SPAs, evaluates closing accounts and develops well-supported positions on purchase price adjustments. His audit background reinforces his ability to assess complex accounting issues and turn them into clear, practical recommendations.
Working closely with Ingo and the wider TFA expert team, Christoph provides clients with integrated deal support throughout complex M&A transactions.
Contact
Let’s discuss what matters.
Complex transactions and disputes benefit from an early, focused conversation. Contact one of our partners directly to discuss the challenge you are facing.
Direct partner access. Personal. Confidential.
All enquiries are treated in strict confidence. Your enquiry will be handled personally by one of our partners.
Better deals.Financial clarity when transactions become complex.