See dude...i would also advice you to go for a small firm as a fresher...
u get to learn a lot of things over there and then try goin for a large firm so that u can do smthing over there....
people in large firms dont have much time to train you while ur CA will give you more time in a small firm....
For instance m in a small firm since past two yrs and i hv learnt a lot of things and today m being paid 6000/- in a small firm...and now that i have attaind that growth i am planning to go for a big one so that i cn be of some use over there....
n articleship doesnt suck always......try to learn from it....
Regards AnDy