Mortgages and being self employed

[mjd]

After some consideration we have decided to sell up next year and to look for something else. Currently we are with Nationwide and have been for the last 7 years. I have gone through the agreement in principle process with Nationwide to get an idea of what we can borrow, and a provisional figure of £145k was given. However, when the time comes to go to the next stage of this process, Nationwide require a certificate from an accountant to verify my earnings. I am self employed and have been for the last 5 years. The reality of this is that I work on a self employed basis for the three local Citizens Advice Bureaux covering all aspects of their ICT systems. I also do some less frequent work for a few other organisations.
Given I am only essentially working on behalf of one organisation, and my earnings are fairly modest, I have never needed the services of an accountant as my accounts are about as straight forward as accounts can be.

Has anyone else been in a similar position? I haven't looked at other lenders yet, but is this likely to be a stumbling block in our plans?

 

[mjd]

Nationwide don't seem to be flexible on this. I suspect other lenders maybe prepared to bend a little from reading so far. I keep my own accounts and have all my tax returns for the last 5 years, so I'm hoping these will be enough.

 

[mjd]

From reading around it would appear that the SA302 may suffice.
I'm hoping that the last 7 years with Nationwide will perhaps encourage them to bend a little. This time around we are looking to borrow a good 30k less, so the mortgage could go in my partners name short term if they wont budge.