I would higly recommend an 8 inch reflector as a good all around scope...nicely portable but with sufficient aperture to spend a life time looking at and for things...I hesitate to call this an "entry level" scope as just a few years ago it would have been a pretty big amatuer scope (beginner or otherwise).
Of course, more aperture is almost always better for seeing more deep sky objects, portability can become an issue.
If you are not certain of the "size" (bulk) of the different scopes, I'd strongly encourage you to see some in person before you buy...
With respect to accessories...my list is about the same as previously listed by Iceman...
Collimation tool (Orion makes a good one available at Bintel...I'd avoid the laser for a while)
Good planisphere (or sky charts/maps...)
Eyepieces (High power, medium power and low power) one each...
red torch/flashlight
Comfortable adjustable chair (many sources and yes, I am biased
)
And lastly...spend as much time as possible under the sky...the best choice of scope is the one that you will use and use often
Good Luck!