In the end it totalled the same (5)
I believe the answer is:
ditto
'same' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'in the end it totalled' is the wordplay.
'in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'DITTO' is hidden within 'end it totalled'.
'the' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ditto that I've seen before include "couple of marks" , "that which has been said" , "As per previous" , "In lists, the same again with two small marks" , "Copy" .)